Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa named Oceania and New Zealand’s Best Day Spa at the 2026 World Spa Awards
Rotorua’s iwi-owned wellness destination has been recognised on the world stage, winning two prestigious titles at the 2026 World Spa Awards.
We are proud to share that Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa has been named Oceania’s Best Day Spa and New Zealand’s Best Day Spa at the 2026 World Spa Awards.
The awards recognise excellence across the global spa and wellness industry, placing Wai Ariki Spa alongside some of the world’s most celebrated wellness destinations.
For General Manager Debbie Robertson, the recognition reflects the power of combining world-class wellness with the culture, traditions and stories of Ngāti Whakaue.
“Wai Ariki Spa offers an experience that is not only unique to Aotearoa but also to Rotorua. It brings together natural elements, cultural storytelling and luxury wellness in a way that cannot be found anywhere else in the world,” she says.
“Recognition like this is an important step in sharing the beauty, strength and richness of our Māori culture with visitors from around the globe.”
At the heart of the Wai Ariki Spa experience is the Restorative Journey, a two-hour cultural wellness experience that blends geothermal heat, water, mud and steam with cultural storytelling and indigenous knowledge. Guided through seven immersive stages, guests are invited to reconnect with their mauri and restore balance to their wairua.
This recognition is a proud milestone for our team and for Ngāti Whakaue. It reflects the passion, care and commitment that go into every Wai Ariki experience and reinforces our belief that authentic cultural wellness has an important place on the global stage.
