An Australia tourist remains in a serious but stable condition after being injured at Rotorua's Whakarewarewa -The Living Māori Village.
The village has also been temporarily closed to visitors while an investigation takes place.
It's believed the person fell into a geothermal hole which opened up on the footpath.
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St John paramedics were called to the village on Tryon St just after 2pm on Thursday, a spokesperson said.
One patient in a critical condition, and another with moderate injuries, were transported to Rotorua Hospital by ambulance.
A Rotorua Hospital spokeswoman said on Friday morning that one person was in a serious but stable condition, but couldn't comment on whether the patient would be transferred to another hospital.
Village spokesperson Mike Gibbons said he understood the people injured were a couple from Perth in Western Australia who were walking along a footpath near the entrance to the village and were injured after falling into a fumarole (geothermal sinkhole).
Gibbons said the village would be temporarily closed to visitors until a "full investigation and assessment had been undertaken by the appropriate authorities, including WorkSafe and the Rotorua Lakes Council".
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He said WorkSafe and a council maintenance team where on-site to carry out an initial inspection.
"The area surrounding the fumarole, which is estimated to be 2m long x 1m wide and up to 1m deep...has been closed off to the public, pending the WorkSafe assessment.
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"It appears the ground may have been compromised following the recent heavy rainfall."
Gibbons said their first priority was to offer support to the visiting family and were hoping to get an update on their medical situation later today.
He also acknowledged the efforts of his team who were first responders at the scene.
This article first appeared on Stuff. It has been republished with permission.
