Abstract The central Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) is an actively rifting continental arc and is well known for its exceptionally high rate of rhyolitic magma generation and frequent caldera-forming eruptions. Two end-member types of rhyolites (R1 and R2) have been previously identified based on differences in their bulk-rock chemistry and mineral assemblage with hydrous phases crystallizing in the R1 type, which are not present or only rare in R2 rhyolites. Here we present new trace element and volatile data from rhyolitic melt inclusions measured in several representative eruptive deposits (R1 and R2 rhyolites) from the central TVZ to examine their volatile concentrations and origin. R1 and R2 show very distinct Cl concentrations, with R2 rhyolites being enriched in Cl by c. 1000 ppm. H 2 O is slightly higher in the R1 rhyolites, whereas CO 2 concentrations are similar between the two end-member types. The origin of these volatile disparities between R1 and R2 melts is assigned to differences in the initial bulk volatile content of the parental magma, possibly associated with distinct input of fluids from the subduction zone. These disparities in bulk volatile concentrations can lead to variations in relative timing of exsolution of volatile phase(s) prior to melt inclusion entrapment. Supplementary material: Major, trace and volatile composition for the analysed central TVZ rhyolites, and comparison of H 2 O data between the transmission and reflectance FTIR are available at http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18767 .