Maungaongaonga is an 825 metres (2,707 ft)[1] high dacite volcano located between Rotorua and Taupō in the North Island Volcanic Plateau.

The area of the mountain is a scenic reserve and some of its southern slopes are highly geothermally active.

To the east across the Hakereteke stream valley (historically called Kerosene creek) is the slightly lower but more striking Maunga Kākaramea or Rainbow mountain which is often steaming from its geothermal field.

The main peak of the volcano has at about 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) to its south a large extrusion dome (trig B27G)[1] that is 592 metres (1,942 ft) high.

[5][6] The lower part of the Maungaongaonga Scenic Reserve along the Waikite valley is dangerous to access due to its geothermal features.