Waiwera Thermal Springs

Waiwera Thermal Springs reimagines one of Aotearoa’s most iconic geothermal destinations as a contemporary wellness experience, grounded in its natural setting, cultural history, and long relationship with thermal water.

Designed by Studio Pacific Architecture in close collaboration with Waiwera Thermal Springs Property LP, the design brings new life to a once-loved site north of Auckland. With the support of Ngāti Manuhiri as mana whenua and development partners, the project is guided by care for the land, water, and whakapapa. 

 

A place for connection

 

Set on the Hibiscus Coast, Waiwera has long been a place of bathing and healing, known for its naturally heated mineral springs. The new design builds on this 150-year legacy to create an inclusive, immersive guest experience that fosters calm and connection.

The masterplan is shaped by the site’s topography, vegetation, and geothermal flow. Across the site, 29 geothermal and freshwater pools are woven into the landscape alongside native planting, reflexology walks, saunas, cold-plunge, and a restaurant.. These spaces range from lively communal areas to quiet, contemplative retreats – each designed to encourage a slower pace and deeper connection with the water.

Studio Pacific led the masterplanning, architecture, and landscape design, drawing on an integrated approach to shape both the experience and its physical form. From early site analysis through to concept, the project has been guided by a shared ambition to restore Waiwera as a place of genuine wellness, shaped by and for its environment.

 

Project progress

 

Resource Consent has been granted for the project, with construction planned to begin in early 2027, and opening anticipated by mid-2028.