A spectacular 200m-long tomo (sinkhole) that opened up on a farm south of Rotorua in May is attracting locals and tourists after being highlighted on Google Maps.
Tumunui South farm manager Colin Tremain said about 50 people had appeared at the property wanting to view the tomo since the initialfew days of viewing had taken place.
"Some clever person thought it would be a good idea to include the tomo on Google Maps so, yeah, we get a few people," Tremain said.
"They have a bit of trouble understanding that this is a working farm and there are a whole lot of health and safety issues involved. They're actually quite disappointed when I tell them they can't just wander off and take a look."
"We filled it where we could including the tip that had encroached on the race way. At the top end there was a 5m-wide and 5m-deep area also filled."
He said there had been no incidents involving stock and the sinkhole.
The tomo appeared after floods in Tumunui. Photo / Colin Tremain
Tomo or sinkholes are formed when groundwater dissolves underlying limestone rock. The dissolved hole enlarges to a point where it can't support the ground above it.
