Wai Ariki hosts MKR judges for a cultural wellness experience 

Wai Ariki hosts MKR judges for a cultural wellness experience 

Even the toughest food critics need a break! My Kitchen Rules (MKR) judges Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge have found the perfect place to unwind at Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa.   Located on the shores of Lake Rotorua, the spa offered them a much-needed escape from their busy schedules.  Manu and Colin relaxed in…

Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa a finalist for World Architecture Awards

Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa a finalist for World Architecture Awards

Just 12 months after its official opening and having already won numerous design awards, Rotorua’s luxury lakefront spa, Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, has been nominated as a finalist at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2024. Designed to combine Rotorua’s natural geothermal resources with traditional Ngāti Whakaue wellbeing practices, the unique spa will now…

Wai Ariki’s Māori-inspired architecture wins prestigious award

Wai Ariki’s Māori-inspired architecture wins prestigious award

We are incredibly proud of the multi-award-winning venue Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, which has received yet another award for its Commercial Architecture at the 2024 Waikato & Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards. The recognition of esteemed architects, RCG, for their outstanding work has contributed to the success of Wai Ariki Hot Springs and…

All whaea welcome at Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa Cafe this Mother’s Day weekend

All whaea welcome at Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa Cafe this Mother’s Day weekend

With the greater part (60%) of the Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa team being a whaea (mother), it’s no surprise that the business is built on the strength of whānau (family). Additionally, as the foundation of Wai Ariki’s offerings, te ao Maori (the Maori worldview) and Ngāti Whakaue culture and practices are grounded in…

Wai Ariki Waitangi ceremony dancers

Wai Ariki Hosts Rotorua’s official Waitangi event: A wellness celebration like no other 

In the heart of Rotorua, Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa stood proud as the host of the official Waitangi event, “For the Love of the People | Mō te Aroha o te Iwi.” This year, the theme of wellness permeated through every aspect of the celebration, drawing over 4,000 manuhiri (visitors) who sought not…

Aquaman’s hidden oasis discovered! You won’t believe where Jason Momoa finds serenity

Aquaman’s hidden oasis discovered! You won’t believe where Jason Momoa finds serenity

Aquaman star Jason Momoa has lived up to his name by enjoying a restorative soak at Rotorua’s Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa. The multi-award-winning venue is built on the legacy of Māori culture and Ngāti Whakaue healing practices, providing Momoa with an authentic experience while seeking tranquility and rejuvenation. Welcomed warmly by the team at…

Indigenous Women Lead and Inspire at 2024 Industry Summit at Wai Ariki

Indigenous Women Lead and Inspire at 2024 Industry Summit at Wai Ariki

In a celebration of leadership and cultural heritage, Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa recently played host to the 2024 Indigenous Women in Industry (IWI) Summit.  Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Rotorua, New Zealand, this two-day economic summit brought together 80 remarkable indigenous women from around the world, offering a platform for networking, empowerment…

Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa Pioneering Wellbeing and Travel Trends in 2024

Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa Pioneering Wellbeing and Travel Trends in 2024

Officially opened in June 2023, Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, nestled on the shores of Lake Rotorua, is already proving a hit with local and international visitors alike, while it has also picked up a plethora of awards, including Best New Spa at the 2023 Spa and Wellness Awards, receiving three prestigious accolades at the Designers…

New Zealand’s Premier Spa Experience Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa receives Qualmark’s highest accreditation

New Zealand’s Premier Spa Experience Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa receives Qualmark’s highest accreditation

We are thrilled to announce that Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa has achieved the highest level of accreditation by Qualmark, New Zealand’s official mark of tourism excellence. Our spa has been officially recognised as a Qualmark Gold business, placing us among the elite sustainable tourism establishments in New Zealand. This accolade signifies our unwavering commitment…