14. Waipaheko – Herbal Pool

Hot mineral water surrounded by our indigenous kawakawa and koromiko plants to provide aromatherapy benefits and support calmness and relaxation.

Hot springs have been valued from the settlement of Māori in New Zealand. Pools were said by Māori to have spiritual (guardianship and protection) that become important rituals amongst Māori.
The warm waters of waiariki (large bathing pools) and ngāwhā (overflowing pools) were used for washing, relaxation and for treating diseases, including common skin complaints and rheumatism.

Boiling pools were used for cooking, and to prepare our native flax for weaving. Flax was a plant that was used to produce traditional Māori garments.

Herbal Pool Benefits: 
Kawakawa, a plant or herb of Tāne (the god of the forest) it comes with gifts of healing.
Among its many uses, its health benefits were to relax tight muscles, relieve dental pain and reduce inflammation.

Koromiko, an effective cure for dysentery, diarrhoea and stomach aches. It was said that the dried leaves were sent away to soldiers overseas during World War II.
The leaves can also be used as a topical wash to ease chafing or bruising. This was applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation and kept in place with a cloth.