A beautiful haven of peace, tranquillity and calm, Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa is a destination for those seeking stillness and a connection with culture. A Rotorua retreat awaiting to embrace you in its magic.

Nestled on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Entirely owned by local iwi (tribe), Wai Ariki offers a one-of-a-kind luxury experience that is steepedin Māori tradition.

Meaning ‘chiefly waters’ in te reo Māori, Wai Ariki pays homage to the tūpuna (ancestors) who walked the whenua (land) long before us. Each wellbeing experience, from mud bathing to hot-stone massages, is inspired by the Ngāti Whakaue iwi and its centuries-old practices.

Rotorua’s bathing culture begins with the legend of Ngātoroirangi, the Māori chief who is believed to have brought the geothermal waters to the Rotorua region. Ngātoroirangi was overcome by snow, ice and wind on the peaks of Mount Tongariro, and prayed to his sisters Haungaroa and Kuiwai in Hawaiki to send fire to revive him. Sending the subterranean goddesses of fire Te Pupu and Te Hoata, they made their mark on our land as they desperately searched for their brother. Finally, they reached Ngātoroirangi, bringing heat and fire, saving him from certain death, and leaving behind the geothermal resource we draw on today. As a result, Ngāti Whakaue people have always seen the region as the bathing and healing centre of New Zealand and took great pride in sharing it with manuhiri (visitors).

Today, Wai Ariki is a way for Ngāti Whakaue descendants to honour the history of the area and uphold the legacy of those who have gone before. It offers iwi the opportunity to demonstrate their leadership, support their own and offer an authentic cultural experience that continues the work of their tūpuna.

The Path to Restoration

The spa’s primary offering, the Restorative Journey (Wai Whakaora), delivers a unique therapeutic, relaxing and rejuvenating experience, with every element drawing on the ancient Ngāti Whakaue bathing culture.

To begin, a traditional Māori blessing at the mauri (life essence) rock is performed to formally greet you and invoke spiritual guidance and protection before your wellness journey. Starting in Te Iringa – the waterfall showers – you’ll pass through soft streams of water falling from above, a nod to the waterfalls of the ancestral lands. These streams are intended to awaken the senses and energise the body before embarking on the journey of restoration.

Moving into the fire and ice caves (Te Ahi Tupua), you can expect a series of hot and cold, wet and dry experiences to invigorate the body and soul. Centuries ago, long before modern medicinal research proved its benefits, Ngāti Whakaue elders would use natural geothermal waiariki (hot springs) and contrasting waipuna (cold springs) as a method of therapy and healing.

It’s then time for a soak in the mineral-rich, deeply restorative geothermal pools. The water at Wai Ariki is drawn directly from the region’s naturally occurring geothermal springs, which hold innate healing properties. With five pools ranging from 12 to 41 degrees Celsius, there’s something to suit everyone.

If you can bear to bring yourself to leave the pools, the next step on the path to restoration is Te Pae Paru – the geothermal mud lounge. Here, you’ll lather yourself in geothermal mud, which is sourced locally and infused with natural kawakawa. The sweet-scented mud not only rejuvenates and refreshes the skin, but also fosters a connection to Papatūānuku, the Māori Mother Earth figure.

The final step in the Restorative Journey is the steam room (Kohu Wai Ariki). Basking in the warmth, it’s not difficult to imagine yourself sitting alongside Ngāti Whakaue warriors, who would visit the ancient caves filled with natural geothermal steam to rest and cleanse.

A Place to Unwind

In addition to the Restorative Journey, Wai Ariki offers an exclusive sanctuary, Āhuru Mōwai, where manuhiri can treat themselves to facials, body treatments and massages, all of  which are deeply rooted in Māori values.

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