Hot Spring Safari

From Ngawha in the far north to Welcome Flat in the deep south, you’re never far from a naturally-heated soak in New Zealand. Bring us your executive stress, aching muscles and sore backs, because you’ll find that a hot spring safari is a very effective way to relax and recuperate.

Some people like to theme their holidays; they may chase lighthouses, waterfalls or wineries. Well here’s a new theme that you’ve probably never thought of - geothermal hot pools.

Kawhia is a place to find Maori history, dig-your-own hot pools and long walks on the beach.
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The North Island of New Zealand is loaded with volcanoes, and hot pools are a very pleasant side effect of all this subterranean angst. In the South Island active fault lines create heat down below, so you’ll find hot pools where you least expect them. Some have been developed, which means you’ll need to pay admission. Others are still ‘wild’ and entirely free-of charge.

Here you will find a selection of commercial and wild pools, throughout New Zealand, described from north to south.

The hot springs at Ngawha, near Kaikohe, have been used as a health treatment by the local Ngapuhi people for hundreds of years. The water in these pools is straight out of the ground and comes in various shades of grey and brown. Soaking at Ngawha is believed to relieve joint pain and skin rashes. Don’t expect palatial facilities; Ngawha is distinctly rustic.

East of Auckland in the farthest reaches of the Hauraki Gulf is Great Barrier Island, where you can hike to a magical free-of-charge hot pool experience deep in the forest. Just follow the Kaitoke Hot Springs walking track from Whangaparapara Road.

Te Aroha Mineral Spas are located south of Auckland, beneath Mt Te Aroha. Modernised to resort standard, these pools retain the charm of the Edwardian era. A drinking fountain lets you ‘taste the waters’, which are believed to promote wellbeing (the fountain of youth?) and the town’s domain features the world’s only hot soda water geyser.

The Lost Spring near Whitianga on the Coromandel Peninsula harnesses crystal clear water that flows from a hot water spring 600 metres below the earth’s surface. With sculpted pools and soothing waterfalls framed by native forest, the Lost Spring promises a very picturesque soaking experience.

Down the coast from Whitianga is Hot Water Beach, where heated water bubbles up through the sand. A couple of hours either side of high tide, you can dig your own spa pool then lie back and watch the waves breaking on the beach. Amazing! This hot soak is totally free-of-charge, unless you need to rent a spade from the local store.

In the coastal city of Tauranga you’ll find Fernland Spa Thermal Mineral Springs, a geothermal pool complex located in 2.5 hectares of native forest park. This hot spring has a large main pool and eight private pools.

Inland from Tauranga is Rotorua, a city built on top of an active volcanic zone. Nearly every accommodation establishment in Rotorua offers private, exchange-heated spa pools. You’ll also find a selection of hot pool complexes, including the famous Polynesian Pools, where you can choose from four bathing areas. Just out of the city is Waikite Valley Thermal Pools, which has a variety of pools ranging from 36 to 40°C. Here you can follow a trail to Te Manaroa Spring, the largest natural source of boiling water in New Zealand.

Near Reporoa is a free-of-charge hot spring called Butcher’s Pool. Rated highly by regular soakers, this pool is owned and maintained by the Rotorua District Council. It has sealed walkways, toilets and changing rooms.

A free treat near Lake Rotowhero is Kerosene Creek, which has a hot waterfall and a clean pool with a sandy bottom. There is a good old Kiwi corrugated-iron changing shed here, which adds to the rustic ambience.

Not far from Rotorua is Taupo, another geothermal hot spot where you can expect hotels and motels to offer heated swimming pools and private spas. A pretty surprise here is Taupo Hot Springs, a commercial hot pool complex set in a steaming thermal valley.

Taupo’s supreme free-of-charge hot soak can be found at Otumuheke Stream, a hot stream that flows into the Waikato River. At the confluence of the two waterways, the hot and cold waters mix together. Just swim around to find a water temperature that’s exactly to your liking.

Soaking in hot pools is one of the simple pleasures of a New Zealand holiday.
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There are fewer hot springs in the South Island, which has very different geography to the North Island. However the huge Alpine Fault that created the Southern Alps has done the world a favour with Hanmer Springs, an all-seasons hot spring resort that regularly wins awards for its facilities. At Hanmer you’ll find thermal mineral, sulphur and freshwater pools, as well as a large children's activity area with water slides. Beauty and massage treatments put the finishing touches on your relaxation.

The most southern free soak can be found at Welcome Flat in Westland, but you’ll have to work for it. Beginning south of Fox Glacier, follow the Copland Track for seven hours until you come to a Department of Conservation (DOC) hut and campsite (you’ll need to make a booking with DOC to stay the night). The pools are a short walk from the hut and have one of the best wilderness views in New Zealand. During the spring thaw you can lie back in the hot water and watch avalanches cascading down the mountains.

Hot pool safety: When swimming in natural hot pools, where the water comes out of the ground, keep your head above water because there is a small risk of contracting an illness called amoebic meningitis. While very rare, this illness is serious.

Matariki - New Zealand's Gourmet Hangi and Concert

On May 10th a star-studded gourmet hangi feast and concert for 700-plus guests - thought to be the largest of its type in the world - launched this year’s Matariki celebrations.

About Matariki

Matariki is the Maori name for the small cluster of stars that can be seen low on New Zealand’s north-eastern horizon just before dawn in the last days of May or in early June. The first appearance of these stars, which are also known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters, heralds the beginning of Maori New Year celebrations.

Traditionally, Matariki was an opportunity to honour the past and plan for the future. Today it has become a time to celebrate the remarkable country we live in; share kai (food), stories and songs; create art and enjoy cultural entertainment.

Making Matariki even more special

This year Matariki launched with the ultimate New Year’s party at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia, which is just north of Hamilton in the North Island. Organised as a fundraiser for the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre, which helps special needs children, the event included a gourmet hangi and a concert featuring some of New Zealand’s most acclaimed contemporary singers and musicians.

A huge manu aute or Māori kite, on loan from the Waikato Museum, was displayed at the event. It was designed in the traditional manner by artists Rama Kete, Pita and Karen Te Ngaru, and Kirihaehae Kirkwood. New Zealand artist Tracey Tawhiao designed the stage backdrop.

A feast you will never forget

Fresh food - hot from the Maori hangi oven.
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Food for this memorable Matariki event was designed by Peter Gordon, a Kiwi chef of Maori descent who has become an international culinary celebrity.

Peter planned a gourmet menu that included marinated pork loin with kawakawa (a native herb with a mint flavour), stuffed pork belly, marinated chicken with local manuka honey, whole baby lamb and marinated beef with peppery native horopito. The food was cooked in a hangi (earth oven) using super-heated stones, in keeping with Maori traditions. For those who had never eaten hangi food before, it was a delicious surprise.

All the dishes were devised to add a twist to the usual hangi fare, Peter Gordon says. "I’ve simply added a fusion approach using local ingredients where I can and some Asian spicing as well. It will be very tasty I can assure you."

Peter Gordon was assisted by other high profile New Zealand chefs including Anne Thorp, the Maori ‘Queen of Cuisine’ and star of the TV food show Kai Ora, and Turangawaewae Marae’s chief cooks.

Matariki music

	Hinewehi Mohi
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The mastermind behind the Matariki Gourmet Hangi and Concert was singer-songwriter Hinewehi Mohi, a descendant of the Ngati Kahungunu and Ngai Tuhoe tribes.

Hinewehi performed at the event, and she called on some of New Zealand’s most talented entertainers to help her. Dave Dobbyn, Hollie Smith, Tama Waipara, Whirimako Black, Nesian Mystik, Moana and the Tribe, Maisey Rika and Pania Papa were all on board to deliver an evening of exceptional local music and song.

Tickets on sale online

The Matariki Gourmet Hangi and Concert began with a powhiri (welcome ceremony). The hangi and concert will follow and the event concluded at around 8pm.

Other Matariki events around the country;

Hawke’s Bay Community Matariki Festivals

Sat 30 May
Annual Matariki Dinner hosted by Matariki Winery, Wellwood Road, Hastings.

Friday 12 June
Pahiatua Matariki at Pahiatua Stadium. Singers, dancers, food and fireworks. Free entry.5pm to 8pm.

Friday 19 June
Waipukurau Matariki at A.W. Parson Stadium & Russell Park. Singers, dancers, food and fireworks. Free entry. 5pm to 8pm.

Friday 26 June.
Flaxmere Matariki at Flaxmere Park. Singers, dancers, food and fireworks. Free entry.3pm to 8pm.

Saturday 27 June
Matariki Winter Solstice Fair at Clareville Showgrounds, Wairarapa. 100 craft stalls, food, entertainment and fireworks. 1pm to 7pm.

Friday 3 July
Wairoa Matariki at Wairoa Community Centre. All day programme includes Te Ao Kori - Maori Games during the day and a magnificent community concert at night with a fireworks finale. Free entry. 9am to 2.30pm, 5pm to 8pm.

Paihia Matariki Festival

Friday 29 May
Gala Opening - a sneak preview of the art for sale, entertainment, refreshments and nibbles. Open to all - no charge. Venue: Waitaha Conference Centre, Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Waitangi.

Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May
An exhibition of fine art showcasing paintings, sculpture, glass, weaving and carving from established artists in the Bay of Islands and far north. No entry fee, all welcome.

Saturday 30 May
Maori Traditional Kite Making workshop

Sunday 31 May
‘Horewai’ Kite Making workshop, Maori Indoor Games workshop, Kete Weaving workshop

Monday 1 June
Lantern Making workshop

For full workshop details, prices and booking details please see www.paihianz.co.nz

Winter Games NZ - The greatest show on snow in New Zealand

Winter Games NZ will take place at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona Alpine Resort, Snow Farm, Naseby and Dunedin from 22-30 August 2009. Whether you plan to compete, work as a volunteer or simply watch the action from a chairlift, it’s going to be the only winter sports event outside the Olympics.				More about this image
	From skiing and boarding to skating and curling Adaptive Skiing More about this image Email this image With an action-packed programme of twenty four events, the Winter Games NZ encompasses alpine skiing, free skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, curling, ice skating and adaptive snow sports, as well as the demonstration sports of winter triathlon and natural luge. The programme has been designed to give athletes the chance to get valuable competition experience in an elite environment before the Vancouver Winter Olympics next year. Spectators will have free access to many of the events, including the opening and closing ceremonies. And television coverage will ensure that winter sport enthusiasts can keep an eye on the event from almost anywhere in the world. Cool venues in beautiful places X-Country Skiing More about this image Email this image New Zealand has five snow sport regions with the geography and technology to deliver a first-class skiing or boarding experience. Extreme alpine peaks, wide open basins and purpose-built terrain parks present snow hounds with an amazing choice of challenges. Four commercial snow sport venues have been secured for Winter Games NZ. The slopes of Cardrona, The Remarkables and Coronet Peak - all within easy driving distance of each other - will host skiing and boarding events. Snow Farm, near Wanaka, will take care of the cross-country skiing and winter triathlon events. At the Maniatoto Ice Rink in Naseby you’ll be able to watch curling, an ancient Scottish sport that has been a special feature of the Central Otago region since the late 1870s. The traditions and etiquette of curling have become part of local folklore. The natural luge track is also located in Naseby, right next door to the curling rink. Dunedin, the largest city in the lower South Island, will host ice skating and ice hockey events at its fantastic indoor ice stadium, which was only built five years ago. Want to compete or volunteer? If you’re a winter athlete with your heart set on an Olympic medal, Winter Games NZ is just the kind of practice you need. The official cut-off for entries is July 25th. No entries fees apply. As with all snow sports events of this size, an energetic force of volunteer workers is essential for smooth running. If you want to help out, sign up at the official website. Build the games into a blockbuster holiday Freeskiing More about this image Email this image The Winter Games NZ venues are wrapped around scenery that never fails to make your jaw drop. Craggy mountains rising out of icy blue lakes, verdant green valleys, tussock-covered high country river plains and snowy peaks mark the spine of the South Island for as far as the eye can see. Close to the snow sports venues are the resort towns of Wanaka and Queenstown. When you’re not on the slopes, there’s always plenty to do. Fill your time with flightseeing to Fiordland, wine tasting at local vineyards, horse trekking, golf and boutique shopping. Adventurous souls can try jet boating, skydiving, bungy jumping, canyon swinging and white water rafting. In the North Island, an easy domestic flight away, winter sport is delivered on the slopes on an active volcano - Mount Ruapehu in the Tongariro National Park. The Whakapapa ski area on the northern side of the mountain delivers massive views of the central North Island, including Mount Ngauruhoe which starred as Mount Doom for the Lord of the Rings movies. On the southern side of the mountain, Turoa skifield can claim New Zealand’s longest vertical drop at 722 metres. From Turoa’s top lift you can walk the 500 metres to the volcano’s hot crater lake (swimming not recommended!). Get booking now! Winter Games NZ is the perfect excuse to come and see a country that will blow you away with its beauty. When you’re making decisions about accommodation and activities, look for the Qualmark© - it’s your sign that the operator has been independently quality assessed. Official website, for information, entries and volunteer registration www.wintergamesnz.com