Auckland’s famous Waiwera hot pools are being brought back to life, with a $58 million rebuild given the green light this week.
Waiwera Thermal Springs Property Limited has secured resource consent from Auckland Council for the project, about 40 kilometres north of the city centre. It’s a big step forward for what developers are calling a “world-class bathing and wellness sanctuary.”
The new site will have 28 pools, along with saunas, reflexology areas, gardens, walkways and pavilions for visitors to relax in. Construction is due to start in early 2027, with the springs expected to open to the public by the middle of 2028.
Waiwera has a long history, with hot pools operating on the site in various forms since the 1800s. It was once New Zealand’s largest water park, but it closed in 2018 after years of neglect, and the old buildings were pulled down in 2023.
Joint managing director Brandon Batagol said reaching this stage was a big deal for the team behind the project. “Achieving resource consent and reaching the detailed design stage are significant milestones and we are absolutely delighted,” he said.
Fellow joint managing director Craig Mitchell said the next step was construction. “From there we’ll commence construction, keeping the community closely informed throughout the process,” he said.
Developers expect more than 310,000 visitors a year once it’s open, creating about 90 jobs. It’s a project many Aucklanders will be watching closely over the next couple of years.
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