Body found in hot pool believed to be local man

A body pulled out of a hot pool in Rotorua yesterday is believed to be that of a local man, police say.

A post mortem will be carried out in Auckland today, but police do not expect to be able to confirm the man's identity until Thursday at the earliest, police said.

The death is being treated as unexplained.Emergency services cordoned off a section of Kuirau Park, opposite the Rotorua Hospital, after a member of the public contacted them about 1.20pm on Tuesday.

A body was recovered from a hot pool in the park.

Before the body was recovered, Rotorua area commander Inspector Bruce Horne said the recovery would be "difficult and dangerous" due to the extreme heat of the pool.

It would be done "in such a way that we can keep the dignity of the person in there", Mr Horne said.

The park scene has since been blessed and the park has re-opened.

Enquiries were continuing and there would be no further police comment until the identity of the man was confirmed, police said.

Rotorua's Deputy Mayor says it's impossible to fence off all geothermal features in the city.

Dave Donaldson says there are hundreds, if not thousands, of them in public spaces.

Mr Donaldson says a number of geothermal features in high profile public spaces do have safety fences.

He says the council has been very proactive in installing warning signs where it's felt there's an element of risk.

Additional reporting: Newstalk ZB