Visit New Zealand

- By Diana Tijoriwalla

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• Indians in NZ
• The Howick Historical Village
• School Levels
• The Treaty of Waitangi.
• Maori Cooking
• Anzac Day 25th April
• Auckland Regional Parks
• Tongariro National Park
• The Buried Village (Rotorua)
• Auckland's Islands
• Paradise Valley Springs (Rotorua)
• MOTAT
• The Polynesian Spa
• Rules for Teachers
• Daffodil Day
• The Waitakere Ranges
• Western Springs Tramway
• Auckland Museum
• New Zealand's Pride
• The Tuatara
• Maungakiekie
• Secondary Schools
• Sir Edmund Hillary
• Halloween
• Auckland Zoo

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The Polynesian Spa

(Hot mineral bathing) – Rotorua


Spa History.

The Polynesian Spa is a mineral spring spa privately owned & operated by a New Zealand family for the last 30 years. Prior to that time, the NZ Govt, through its Tourist Department,operated 3 mineral bathing facilities starting with the Pavillion Bathhouse in the 1880’s with the last being the Ward Baths, opened in 1931 & eventually closed in 1971. Today, Polynesian Spa offers hot mineral bathing in 35 bathing pools including both public & private, a luxury spa & a family spa. The complex retains a significant reminder of its past history with several of the pools & buildings being survivors of the 1931 Ward Baths.

The Water.

The hot water which fills all the pools, is a soft alkaline water which flows from a boiling spring 100 metres from the complex. This water has to be cooled by the addition of town water. Thousands of visitors to the spa have attested to the remedial effects the hot mineral waters have on ailments such as muscular complaints, arthritis & rheumatism. The acidic Priest & Radium springs are most noted in this respect. The alkaline waters have a very soothing effect on the skin.

Bathing.

Clients using the Lake Spa Retreat are able to bathe in 4 shallow rock-pools of graduated temperature from 36 to 43 degree C. The pools are set invitingly overlooking Sulphur Bay on Lake Rotorua. The mood in these pools change from day to night & from the steam of winter to the balminess of summer.

Therapies.

Prior to any therapy, therapy clients are asked to soak in the Lake Retreat hot mineral pools. This soak is an integral part of any therapy. This soaking warms & relaxes the body before the therapy. The Air therapy was introduced to Rotorua from France in the early 1900’s & has been available since then. Coconut oil is used in this air therapy as a massage medium. The thermal mud treatments are designed to compliment the relaxation factor of the hot alkaline mineral water. These therapies are for the back as well as for the whole body. Honey is usually used in this type of therapy.

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