Hot springs history

WORDS Hannah Harte

Hanmer Springs has a history as rich as its mineral waters. Full of healing, anti-ageing properties from the silica, sulfur, and sodium present, Māori were well aware of the restorative powers of the geothermal pools. 

Māori legend speaks of the renowned warrior Tamatea calling Ariki, or Chief of the North Island volcanoes, to save his party from freezing in the South. Ariki responded by gifting flames from Ngaruhoe’s crater, with one flame falling into Hanmer’s hot springs on its journey across the land. From then on, the land was known as Te Whakatataka O Te Ngarehu O Ahi Tamatea – Where the Ashes of Tamatea’s Fire Lay.

European settlers were quick to discover and enjoy the springs as early as 1859. William Jones, a farm manager from nearby Culverden, drawn by what he believed was a “remarkable fog”, soon realised that a number of holes in the earth were emitting various temperatures of hot water, and news of his find spread swiftly. By 1871 the first dressing shed was constructed on the site. Now, this small town of no more than a thousand residents plays host to more than half a million tourists a year. 

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa is an innovative complex owned by the Hurunui District Council, with all profits going back into the local community. The site has grown to boast 22 outdoor pools ranging in temperature from a comfortable 32 degrees to a piping hot 42 degrees, including three adults-only thermal pools, a freshwater activity pool and a dedicated AquaPlay area for eight-year-olds and under, providing something for absolutely everyone, no matter their age or preferences. 

The liquid filling these fascinating bodies of water fell as snow or rain 173 years ago, then sat in deep underground reservoirs. There, they are slowly warmed by the geothermal heat of the Earth’s core and absorb minerals from these cavernous depths before rising to the surface through greywacke rock fractures. It is a remarkable journey for every drop. 

A custom-made system in the changing rooms utilises thermal water for underfloor heating and air conditioning, saving nearly $100,000 per year in electricity, and careful planning in the conservation of 100 million litres of water won the New Zealand Recreation Association’s Aquatic Innovation Award in 2015. 

There is always something new in development at these iconic hot pools, and there are changes coming soon, with work underway on a new hydroslide project. Watch this space for more.

Many Cantabrians will have fond memories of school holidays or overnight trips to Hanmer Springs to enjoy the warmth and relaxation the springs provide, as well as everything else the alpine village has to offer. Wonderful eateries, boutique shopping, local wineries, night sky tours, an expansive animal park, and numerous trails to explore surrounded by gorgeous natural phenomena. 

There are some fantastic package getaways on offer for families, couples, and friends and plenty of accommodation options available. 

Little in life is more relaxing, soothing, and restorative than a long, leisurely soak in a mineral hot spring on a freezing winter’s day.