Description:

The Internationally renowned spa heritage of Rotorua, and legacy of Ngāti Whakaue culture, healing practises and manaakitanga, stretches back over 650 years. Ngāti Whakaue has welcomed visitors to the area to immerse themselves in its medicinal and wellbeing properties since the early 1800’s, and now aspires to position Rotorua as the Health Spa and Wellness capital of the world.

The brief was to create a luxury wellness facility like no other – architecturally, experientially and culturally – to provide ongoing value and future opportunity for Ngāti Whakaue members and the local community. The development was funded by Māori, to be led by Māori, and benefits from being compiled through the lens of Te Ao Māori. They aimed to curate an experience which both harnesses the areas strong and sensory geothermal properties whilst also imbedding authentic Ngāti Whakaue cultural narratives to enrich the journey of Manuhiri.

The result? Wai Ariki, the chiefly waters.

The architectural beacon and experiences are led by the story of Ngātoroirangi, a high priest of Te Arawa, who called on life-saving geothermal heat when he was close to perishing on the ice of Mt Tongariro. Te Wai Whakaora (The Restorative Journey) and Te Āhuru Mōwai (The Sanctuary) are the 2 primary journeys. Te Wai Whakaora channels this story and takes manuhiri on a guided sensory bathing experience. The kōrero is told through the unique geothermal properties and is amplified through the senses – the soft songs of Ngāti Whakaue, the loud scents of the forest and native herbs, the piercing steam of the Kohu Wai Ariki, the bracing cold of Ice, the stickiness of the thermal mud.

Wai Ariki was created by a team of designers and engineers, supported by tohunga and tribal leaders – and guided by their specialist knowledge. There was a mutual respect for kaupapa, an awareness of materiality, and a shared pursuit to cradle te taha wairua.

Wai Ariki is guarded by 6 tūpuna (Ngā Koromātua) of Ngāti Whakaue, who were carved at the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute, Ngā Kete Tuku Iho – and guide manuhiri towards the waharoa. The Tukutuku panels in the entry area were crafted by Norma Sturley of the local Ōhinemutu Village.

The distinctive architectural expression is underpinned by its strong roof form - the brow of a Te Arawa waka, a whare gable, tectonic plates. A conversation between function, geology, climate and culture.The roof performs a major role with shelter and is a significant cultural and placemaking opportunity

The spa has been a critical component in the development of the Rotorua lakefront and also of importance for the local community. In peak times, Wai Ariki will employ over 80people, with over 80% being Ngāti Whakaue.

The innovative amalgamation between technology and culture is globally leading, and a testament to the relationships within the team. Wai Ariki is not only the most significant spa development in Aotearoa for more than 100 years, it is one of only a handful of indigenous-owned operations in the world.