11°c Partly sunny
Humidity: 66.
Wind Gusts: 0 km/h.
Opening Hours 10am - 9pm
Hanmer Springs History
Legend tells of the famous warrior Tamatea calling on the Ariki (chief) of the North Island volcanoes, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe, to save his party from freezing on their return north, after their waka was wrecked off the Otago coast. The Ariki answered by sending flames from Ngaruhoe’s crater down the Whanganui River and across to Nelson - a piece of flame landed in Hanmer Springs. This gave rise to the hot springs, known as Te Whakatataka O Te Ngarehu O Ahi Tamatea – ‘where the ashes of Tamatea’s fire lay’.
While Māori never settled here, the discovery of ancient native umu (ovens) indicated travellers' camps or signs of people passing through.
The nearest Māori settlements in the early nineteenth century were those of the Kaikoura coast; at Kaikoura itself, at Omihi (near Oaro), and in the vicinity of Haumuri Bluff.
As a location, Hanmer Springs was somewhat of an intersection for Māori, with those travelling east to west in search of pounamu stopping here, alongside those moving north to different settlements.
Today when we soak in the pools, we can think of that haerenga (journey) and the warmth found here in Hanmer Springs.
This year we are celebrating 150 years since the first dressing shed was built on-site – so let us fill in some of the gaps and paint a picture of how the complex came to be after those early discoveries by Māori.
In 1859 an announcement in The Lyttelton Times marked a discovery of “hot water springs” by Mr William Jones. While he believed he was the first to ‘make them generally known’, in the same year Julius von Haast wrote about a visit to Hanmer Basin thermal springs in his journal.
The first dressing shed was built in Hanmer Springs in 1871 by Mr John Fry. He built the shed and put in steps to the hot springs so his customers at the Jollies Pass Hotel could enjoy the thermal pools.
During these early years bathers were separated according to gender – with a skirt or trousers flown on a post to let those know who was enjoying a soak. We are sure there were some surprises for everyone back then!
The site became a public establishment in 1883 when the Crown fenced it off for the paying public, and by 1884, work was underway to build a bathhouse.
For some 15 years prior to 1978, community groups had to fight to secure and source Government funding to develop the pools into a larger-scale complex that would enable people to reap the health benefits of the thermal springs.
Community spirit and perseverance won in the end and the pools have since grown from a simple bathing area to a multi-million-dollar attraction that is still in public ownership, under the Hurunui District Council.
Today by the numbers:
Travelling Māori were the first to discover the incredible thermal springs when passing through the area. There was never a permanent Māori settlement in the area and it wasn't until the 1850's that they were discovered by an early pioneer
The first known European discovery of the thermal springs was in April 1859 by William Jones, a farm manager from Culverden, who was drawn to what appeared to be "a remarkable fog". On investigation he found some holes filled with water varying from luke warm to almost boiling. News of the discovery spread quickly.
Hanmer Springs is named after Thomas Hanmer, who while searching for suitable farming land in the 1850s, joined a party of surveyors working in the Amuri District.
Construction of a swing bridge over the Waiau River was completed in 1864 and provided easier access to the area. The bridge was destroyed by gale force nor-west winds in 1874. It was 13 years before the bridge was replaced, and in the interim many lives were lost when they attempted to cross the treacherous waters of the Waiau.
A dressing shed was built next to the pools by Mr John Fry, manager of the Jollie's Pass Hotel.
The first bathhouse built consisted of four private baths each measuring 2.4 x 0.6 metres.
The Government Lands Department excavated the main bathing springs to create swimming pools. Segregated nude bathing was the order of the day in the early years and hoisting the appropriate clothing (skirt or trousers) up a pole to indicate the gender of the moment controlled this. Later, of course, separate pools were introduced and, finally, mixed bathing – clothed of course!
Dr C Little was appointed visiting medical officer. An earthenware pipe was placed over the hole on top of one of the hottest pools so people could inhale the full strength of the steam - this proved to be extremely popular.
The Government built an accommodation house described as a sanatorium. There were eight first-class rooms; 50 second-class visitors were put in tents.
A massage room opened in the bathhouse.
A hotel called The Lodge (now Hanmer Springs Hotel) was opened close to the springs. It contained two suites and 17 other rooms, and was very grand.
The sanatorium grew to accommodate 18 patients, but was destroyed on the day that World War One began. In 1916 the first block of the Queen Mary Hospital was built next to the pools - this was after Hanmer Springs became the site for the South Island military hospital.
Drilling for thermal water begins using a traction engine.
The first bathouse was demolished
The Thermal Pools complex was purchased by the local community and gifted to the local council.
Three hexagonal pools and a freshwater pool were put in place.
The entrance way was shifted to the visitor information centre. The men’s and women’s changing rooms extended, and the rock pools were constructed. Private Sauna and steam rooms were constructed and improvements made to the Private Thermal Pools.
A new massage and beauty centre was developed (Health Body and Mind). The Teahouse was converted into the Department of Conservation information centre and Garden House restaurant.
The Waterslide and Children’s Activity area and plant room was built. The Waterslide end changing room was installed and the existing changing rooms were upgraded. The café deck was extended and the service yard and engineering depot constructed.
The current sulphur pools are developed
Two new pools (Rainbow Pools) were opened at the front of the complex.
The Spa at Hanmer Springs opens, improving substantially the offering of Health and Beauty services.
A new Entranceway, and i-SITE Visitor Information Centre with retail shop were opened in February
December - New AquaTherapy pools, the 15m high SuperBowl, new freshwater swimming pool with Lazy River and AquaPlay area opens.
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools experienced its busiest day ever at the peak of the holiday season, recording almost 5000 visitors.
Heavy snow causes power cuts and forces the closure of the pools for two days.
Our changing rooms are upgraded, including an underfloor heating system using recycled water.
November - opening of five new Cascades pools & Conical Thrill. NZ's largest aquatic thrill ride.
The complex closes to protect customers safety, and is the first time the pools have closed in xxxx. New Zealand goes into lockdown on March 25.
The pools reopen, with a booking system over weekends, public and school holidays.
Our brand new AquaPlay area sits to the side of the children's pool and offers three slides, with hours of fun to be had in the waterplay area. All kids love to climb, so we have installed a gradual wall to access the slides
Helpful Links
Contact Us
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa
42 Amuri Ave
Hanmer Springs, New Zealand
Email: info@hanmersprings.co.nz
Pools - Phone: +64 3 315 0000
Spa - Phone: +64 3 315 0029
Freephone: 0800 442 663
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