The most luxurious hot spring in Rotorua, Wai Ariki Hotspring
Discovering the Healing powers of Wai Ariki
New Zealand, a land of stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is home to one of the most unique geothermal wonders in the world - the Wai Ariki Hot Springs. Nestled on the shores of Lake Rotorua, these hot springs offer a wellness experience like no other, deeply rooted in the Māori worldview and the healing practices of the Ngāti Whakaue tribe.
A Journey Back in Time
The name ‘Wai Ariki’ translates to ‘chiefly waters’, reflecting the majestic origins of Rotorua’s geothermal waters. These waters were brought to Aotearoa (New Zealand) by Ngātoroirangi, the great chief and priest of the Arawa waka (vessel) that carried the ancestors of Ngāti Whakaue from Hawaiki.
Overcome by snow, ice, and wind on the peaks of Mt Tongariro, Ngātoroirangi prayed to his sisters in Hawaiki to send fire to revive him. The subterranean goddesses of fire, Te Pupu and Te Hoata, left their mark on the land as they searched for their brother, leaving behind the geothermal resource we draw on today.
The Healing Waters
The elders of Ngāti Whakaue have always known and used the innate healing properties of the waters in their land. They would visit the hot springs and immerse themselves in the contrasting cold springs for therapy and healing. These traditional practices are at the heart of the Wai Ariki spa journey, offering the same healing benefits for visitors from across New Zealand and around the world.
A Unique Wellness Experience
At Wai Ariki, you can rest and find tranquility in a truly unique mineral bath experience that combines our local geothermal mineral waters with Ngāti Whakaue culture, traditional practices, and manaakitanga (the concept of caring for people and community). Here, you can take a restorative journey or visit the Sanctuary to relax and satisfy your senses.
Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and healing practices of the Ngāti Whakaue tribe. It offers a unique wellness experience that is deeply rooted in the Māori worldview. Whether you’re seeking physical relaxation, mental rejuvenation, or a deeper connection with the land and its history, Wai Ariki Hot Springs is a destination that promises a truly transformative experience.
Here are some of the experiences you can enjoy at Wai Ariki Hot Springs:
- Wai Whakaora Restorative Journey: This is a truly unique mineral bathing experience. You can rest and find stillness in the geothermal mineral waters. The duration is 120 minutes and it costs $155.
- Mirimiri Wai Ariki & Āhuru Mōwai Signature Massage & Sanctuary Bathing: This 90-minute massage helps to induce a calm balance between your mauri (vital energy) and your wairua (spirit). Your choice of signature oil blends, infused with rongoā rākau (plant remedies) further enhance this restorative massage. The total duration is 150 minutes and it costs $315.
- Twilight Calm Evening Bathing: You can join for a relaxing evening as you soak up the healing properties of the geothermal waters in five pools – mineral alkaline, cold plunge, herbal, and hydrotherapy1. The duration is 90 minutes and it costs $991.
- Mata Mānuka + Āhuru Mōwai Mānuka Nourishing Facial + Sanctuary Bathing: Revitalize with Aotearoa’s Mānuka Honey: antibacterial, hydrating, and radiant. Then enjoy a visit to The Sanctuary inviting rest in mineral-rich waters, drawn directly from the source, for a unique and rejuvenating thermal escape. The total duration is 120 minutes and it costs $245.
- Wai Whakaora & Āhuru Mōwai Restorative Journey & Sanctuary Bathing: The Sanctuary (Āhuru Mōwai) is a luxurious haven that provides a place of peace, tranquillity, and calm for visitors (manuhiri) to experience traditional Ngāti Whakaue therapies in unique spaces that directly reflect our centuries-old legacy in this region1. The total duration is 180 minutes and it costs $270
