Maunga Kākaramea (also known officially as Rainbow Mountain)[1] is a 743 metres (2,438 ft)[4] high dacite volcano located between Rotorua and Taupō in the North Island Volcanic Plateau.

It has multiple steaming features and a picturesque crater lake reached by a short walk from the nearest road and has a nearby geothermal area.

To the west across the Hakereteke stream (European settlement name Kerosene Creek) valley is the slightly higher peak of Maungaongaonga at 825 metres (2,707 ft).

[4] Much of the ground has been altered by steam action, which is most marked on the southern slopes of the mountain, extending almost to the summit.

The flora is somewhat stunted both because of the continued geothermal activity but also as it is a regrowth area affected by the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera.