Thousands of locals and visitors gathered at the Rotorua lakefront for Waitangi – Mō Te Arawa O Te Iwi, For The Love Of The People, Rotorua’s official free Waitangi Day celebration, hosted by Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa.  Wai Ariki’s General Manager Debbie Robertson said Te Paratehoata Marae (Tūnohopū) does a fantastic job of making Waitangi such a special event for all to feel welcome.  “The event acknowledges the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, while bringing Māori culture to…

When powerful spaces meet powerful people, something special happens. Recently, Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa opened its doors for an evening dedicated to connection, conversation and community, hosting more than 100 local business wāhine (women) alongside the Rotorua Business Chamber. The Women in Business event is held bimonthly by the Rotorua Business Chamber and brings together businesswomen from across the…

Valentine’s Experience at Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa Celebrate love with an experience designed for pure indulgence. Sink into your own private mineral pool, where warm, healing waters soothe the body and calm the mind — creating the perfect moment to pause, reconnect, and simply be together. Then, sweeten the occasion with a Duck…

Warm mineral waters and hues of pink – October at Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa provided relaxation and hope for Rotorua locals affected by breast cancer. Wai Ariki joined forces with the Rotorua Breast Cancer Trust in October for the second annual ‘Bathe for Pink’ fundraiser, a heartfelt initiative inviting breast cancer survivors to enjoy complimentary bathing in Wai…

Thousands of tired legs, happy hearts and muddy shoes made their way from the trails to Wai Ariki’s hot springs this past weekend as Run the Forest 2025 returned to Rotorua on Saturday, 9 August. As principal sponsor of the popular trail event for the second year running, Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa once…

Guests of Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa were treated to a front row seat to the spectacular 2025 Matariki Aronui drone show, held on the shores of Lake Rotorua in Aotearoa.   The sold-out Sip, Show and Soak event, hosted over two nights at Wai Ariki, offered an unforgettable blend of visual wonder and sensory…

Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa is proud to have hosted Jason Momoa during his visit to Rotorua, where he was officially named an Honorary Citizen of the city. The announcement was made in a special ceremony at Wai Ariki, with Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell joining Jason on stage to share the exciting news with…

Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa recently had the honour of hosting an event for the third annual Kupu Māori Writers Festival. Held from October 16th to 19th, 2024, the festival celebrated Māori storytelling and literature, bringing together nearly 40 writers, poets and cultural leaders from across Aotearoa.  The event at Wai Ariki highlighted the…

This week marks the celebration of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, a time to honour the beauty and significance of Te Reo Māori, the indigenous language of Aotearoa New Zealand. As a vital part of Wai Ariki’s cultural heritage, it’s essential to protect and nurture Te Reo so it can flourish for generations.  At…

Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa has provided a sanctuary for participants to rejuvenate after their impressive efforts in this years’ ‘Run The Forest’ event by Nduro Events. With over 3,000 participants, 91% of whom came from outside Rotorua, this year’s Run The Forest broke records and highlighted the incredible spirit of the wellness community….

What a year it’s been! Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa recently celebrated its first anniversary, marking an incredible year packed with achievements that have truly put Wai Ariki on the map as THE destination for cultural wellness and breathtaking architecture. In just twelve months, the Rotorua-based hot springs and spa, deeply rooted in Māori…

Drawing inspiration from our ancestor Ngatoroirangi, Kōhatu Turua intertwines warmed alpine stones sourced from Tongariro with traditional massage techniques. This is to bring you an experience of relaxation, improved circulation, and tension release.  The heat from the stones can provide a comforting sensation, making it an ideal treatment for warming up and rejuvenating your body…