10-12 May 2024
China Import & Export Fair Complex,
Guangzhou,
China
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13-16 May 2024
Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia ,
Italy
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14 May 2024
JPMorgan Chase Headquarters,
New York City,
United States
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18-22 May 2024
The Ravenala Attitude Hotel,
Mauritius
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23-24 May 2024
Large Hall of the Chamber of Commerce (Erbprinzenpalais),
Wiesbaden,
Germany
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30-30 May 2024
Four Seasons Hotel George V,
Paris,
France
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30 May - 02 Jun 2024
Rimini Exhibition Center,
Rimini,
Italy
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06-07 Jun 2024
Sataman Viilu ,
Jyväskylä,
Finland
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Maori culture inspires upcoming New Zealand bathing destination, Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa |
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By Megan Whitby 06 Apr 2023 |
Rotorua is known for its hot springs, geysers and bubbling mud pools Credit: Shutterstock/Dmitry Pichugin
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After five years of planning, geotechnical preparation, COVID challenges and construction, Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa in Rotorua – the New Zealand city famous for its geothermal activity – is edging closer to completion. Set to open in mid-2023, the 4,453sq m spa and wellness centre is grounded in te ao Maori(the Maori worldview). It will be infused with native culture throughout, including the physical design of the building, the wellness experiences and authentic manaakitanga (the concept of care and hospitality).
Wai Ariki means ‘chiefly waters’, and is a reminder of the origin of Rotorua’s thermal waters. The site is located on the shores of Rotorua’s lakefront and is being developed by Pukeroa Oruawhata Group (POG), the development arm of the local hapū (tribe) Ngāti Whakaue.
The facility will form just one element of the wider health and wellness vision for the group’s 11-hectare site and be managed by Australian-based contract management firm Belgravia Leisure. “Wai Ariki’s unique features combine with therapeutic mineral waters to deliver a world-class sanctuary that provides a place to relax, sustain and heal,” says Karen Golden, Belgravia general manager of destination, wellness and spa.
“The way that culture has been incorporated throughout the concept, design and product offering, combined with its location and people, provides a level of authenticity which we believe makes it unlike anything else in the world.” POG deputy chair David Tapsell says Ngati Whakaue and Maori culture will sit at the heart of the property, with the 650-year history of the tribe and Rotorua’s spa heritage forming an intrinsic part of the development. “Wai Ariki is set to firmly position Rotorua in the global wellness and spa market,” Tapsell says. Spa facilities The site will have two main spa areas: Te Puna Kaukau Koruhuhū and Te Ahuru Mōwai l The Sanctuary – a space for bathing and spa treatments. There's also a café and gift shop. Within Te Puna Kaukau Koruhuhū, manuhiri (guests) will experience Haumanu Haerenga, a restorative journey made up of a series of hot and cold experiences designed to maximise therapeutic benefit. The journey includes a herb pool – which combines mineral water with the aromatherapy properties of native plants to support calmness and relaxation; a mud experience; and a cool frigidarium. A sense of place The Wai Ariki brand speaks to the cultural narrative of Ngātoroirangi – a great ariki (chief) and tohunga (priest). Caught in a blizzard climbing Mount Tongariro, Ngātoroirangi called for help from his sisters, Te Pupu and Te Hoata, to bring precious ahi (fire). It’s said the places the subterranean goddesses of fire dropped embers are where the region’s hot pools and other volcanic and geothermal phenomena can be seen today.
“Every part of this spa provides a connection to the Ngāti Whakaue people and places that have come to define us through time,” says Tapsell. “In particular, the hot and cold experiences – while delivering proven therapeutic benefits – draw on the story of our ancestor, Ngātoroirangi." He concludes: “This is a defining history for Ngāti Whakaue and this legacy is present throughout Wai Ariki and its wellness experiences. This is part of what makes it truly unique – not just in New Zealand, but in the world."
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News |
1 to 12 of 8713 news stories |
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08 May 2024
Luxury hotel brand Aman, widely known for its strong spa focus, has just launched its much-talked-about sister brand Janu in Tokyo – complete with a 4,000sq m urban wellness retreat. Janu Tokyo is only the ... More
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09 May 2024
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07 May 2024
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03 May 2024
The historic Breakers Hotel in Long Beach, California, is set to reopen in mid-2024 as a Fairmont Hotels & Resorts property after a significant restoration and redevelopment project. The project, initially unveiled in 2022 by ... More
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03 May 2024
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01 May 2024
Marriott International has signed a new deal with Neom to open a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property as part of Trojena, a brand new year-round mountain adventure destination in Saudi Arabia. Launching in 2026, Trojena is a ... More
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27 Apr 2024
The Bannatyne Group says it has officially bounced back from the pandemic, with both turnover and profits restored to pre-2020 levels in 2023, according to its year-end results. Owned by former BBC Dragon’s Den investor, ... More
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25 Apr 2024
Kerzner International has signed deals to operate two new Siro recovery hotels in Mexico and Saudi Arabia, following the launch of the inaugural Siro property in Dubai this February. Designed to offer guests a holistic ... More
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The US spa industry is continuing its upward trajectory, achieving an unprecedented milestone with a record-breaking revenue of US$21.3 billion in 2023, surpassing the previous high of US$20.1 billion in 2022. This data stems from ... More
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24 Apr 2024
Short-term incentives to exercise, such as using daily reminders, rewards or games, can lead to sustained increases in activity, according to new research. Researchers found that even a simple daily reminder encouraged people to move ... More
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Lemi Group |
Lemi Group designs and produces treatment tables, chairs and multi-functional furniture and
[more] |
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Book4Time unveils enhanced day and resort pass functionality
With an increasing number of luxury hotels and resorts offering day and resort passes to
drive staycation business, Book4Time, a leader in innovative spa and wellness solutions, is
thrilled to announce the launch of Day & Resort Passes on its award-winning platform. ... more
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