Key Takeaways
- Waiwera Thermal Springs is being redeveloped as a world-class bathing and wellness destination
- The new scheme features 28 pools, saunas, reflexology areas, gardens, and pavilions on a landscaped site
- The project aims to create a tranquil environment, different from the previous adventure park
- The development team has experience in thermal wellness destinations, including Maruia Hot Springs and Peninsula Hot Springs
- The project is expected to bring economic and social benefits to the region, with an estimated 302,969 annual visitors and $300.3m in direct and indirect gross regional product
Introduction to Waiwera Thermal Springs
Waiwera Thermal Springs, a popular tourist destination in New Zealand, is being redeveloped as a world-class bathing and wellness center. The new scheme, unveiled by Brandon Batagol, a director of Waiwera Thermal Springs, features 28 pools, saunas, reflexology areas, gardens, and pavilions on a landscaped site. The project aims to create a tranquil environment, different from the previous adventure park that once attracted up to 350,000 annual visitors.
The New Scheme
The new scheme is designed to be an inclusive experience, encouraging guests to slow down, immerse themselves in nature, and engage with the surroundings at their own pace. The development team, led by Waiwera Thermal Springs Property LP, has taken care to deliver a plan that will bring considerable economic and social benefits to the region while honoring the natural environment. The project features a series of outdoor rooms, ranging from larger social spaces to quieter, more contemplative areas. About 77,000 native plants will be planted on the flat site, and no residential accommodation is planned.
Development Team and Experience
The development team has experience in thermal wellness destinations, including Maruia Hot Springs and Peninsula Hot Springs. Batagol heads Maruia Hot Springs in the Southern Alps and was previously involved with Peninsula Hot Springs on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. The team’s experience in creating world-class bathing and wellness destinations will be invaluable in bringing Waiwera Thermal Springs to life. The company will buy the 1.6ha site, potentially opening around late 2027, depending on how consenting and construction go.
Economic Benefits
The project is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the region. An independent economic impact assessment by BDO showed that the project would create an average annual visitation of 302,969 people over the first five years of operation and contribute direct and indirect gross regional product of $300.3m based on two years of construction and five years of operation. The project will also support 87 direct and indirect jobs annually.
History of Waiwera Thermal Springs
Waiwera Thermal Springs has a rich history, with Māori using the hot springs for centuries. The site was previously leased by companies associated with Russian billionaire Mikhail Khimich and America’s Leon Fingerhut of Las Vegas. However, leasehold payments fell due, and the companies were liquidated, leading to the closure of the old Waiwera park in 2018. The site has since been sold to Waiwera Thermal Springs Property LP, which is now developing the new scheme.
Company Planning Scheme
Waiwera Thermal Springs Property GP was incorporated in February, with directors including Brandon Armon Batagol, Craig Andrew Mitchell, and David Matthew Deacon Wickham (known as Matt). Batagol owns 45.5% of the shares, while WRE Investments and Randello Mitchell Investments own 32% and 22.5%, respectively. The company has signed an agreement with Urban Partners to buy the 1.6ha site and develop the new scheme.
Conclusion
The redevelopment of Waiwera Thermal Springs is an exciting project that promises to bring economic and social benefits to the region. With its focus on creating a tranquil environment and honoring the natural environment, the project is expected to become a world-class bathing and wellness destination. The development team’s experience in thermal wellness destinations and the project’s expected economic benefits make it an exciting development for the region. Mayor Wayne Brown has given the development his "full backing," saying that natural springs are a treasure and should be treated as such.