Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa

Rotorua
+64 7 349 7111
wai_ariki_spa

SAVE 20% OFF The Restorative Journey : We honour our tūpuna (ancestors) who walked this whenua (land) long before us by weaving cultural storytelling into our spa experiences, passed down through generations.

Wai Ariki means ‘chiefly waters’ and directly connects to the origin of Rotorua’s geothermal waters which were called to Aotearoa (New Zealand) by Ngātoroirangi – the ariki (great chief) and tohunga (high priest) of the Arawa waka (vessel) that brought Ngāti Whakaue ancestors to Aotearoa from Hawaiki.

Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa is grounded in te ao Māori (Māori worldview) and Ngāti Whakaue healing practices. This unique spa and wellness experience offers authentic manaakitanga – the centuries-old and internationally-renowned concept of welcoming and caring for manuhiri (visitors).

We embrace and share these sacred geothermal waters and traditional techniques with our visitors, grounding every experience in the living culture of this place.

 

 

The Backpacker Group Members Deal

Save 20% off The Restorative Journey

Tours & Products

The Restorative Journey is 2 hours in duration limited to 16 pax per session. We highly recommend pre-booking your preferred session time.

First session is 9am and then every 30mins. Last session in winter is 8pm and last session in summer is 8.30pm
We recommend not doing the Journey on an empty stomach. Water stations are supplied

Wai Whakaora is the signature Restorative Journey at Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, offering a world-first cultural wellness experience grounded in the geothermal environment of Rotorua and the legacy of Ngāti Whakaue.

Over approximately two hours, guests move at their own pace through seven carefully curated experiences incorporating wai (water), geothermal heat, cooling, mud and steam.

The journey begins with a karakia (blessing) at Te Hihiri Mauri Blessing Stone, before moving through Wairere Waterfall Showers and into Te Tukinga Tongariro Fire and Ice Caves, where hot and cold contrast creates a striking sensory experience.

Guests then reach Te Taiwhanga Matua, the Lake View Pools, overlooking Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island. The five pools comprise two geothermal pools, a cold plunge pool, a thermally heated hydrotherapy pool and a thermally heated herbal pool, creating a varied bathing experience within the journey.

From here, the journey continues through Te Pae Paru Geothermal Mud Lounge and Kohu Wai Ariki Steam Room, before concluding with a karakia at Te Ngao Mauri Blessing Stone.

Māori culture, storytelling and the wellbeing traditions of Ngāti Whakaue are woven throughout the journey, creating an experience that reaches beyond conventional geothermal bathing.

Wai Whakaora invites guests to slow down, experience each stage with intention and reconnect with themselves and the geothermal environment surrounding Wai Ariki Spa.

What’s Included

  • Approximately two-hour self-guided Restorative Journey
  • Access to all seven experiences:
    • Te Hihiri – Karakia at the Mauri Blessing Stone
    • Wairere – Waterfall Showers
    • Te Tukinga – Tongariro Fire and Ice Caves
    • Te Taiwhanga Matua – Lake View Pools
    • Te Pae Paru – Geothermal Mud Lounge
    • Kohu Wai Ariki – Steam Room
    • Te Ngao – Karakia at the Mauri Blessing Stone
  • Five Lake View Pools:
    • Two geothermal pools
    • One cold plunge pool
    • One thermally heated hydrotherapy pool
    • One thermally heated herbal pool
  • Robe hire
  • Towel hire
  • Locker access
  • Changing facilities and amenities

Hostels Nearby

Haka House Rotorua
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Rock Solid Backpackers
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Terms & Conditions

  • Available for TBG members only
  • A valid TBG membership card with identification must be presented to staff when checking-in to validate this special offer
  • Discount applies to online bookings only
  • Not to be used in conjunction with any other discounts, promotions or deals
  • TBG members need to be 16 years and above
  • The restorative journey is not available for pregnant ladies

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