Kōrero: Thermal pools and spas

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, thousands enjoyed New Zealand’s mineral hot springs, whether taking nature’s cure for rheumatism or simply seeking relaxation. Modelled on European lines, the fashionable spa was promoted as a fountain of health.

He kōrero nā Nancy Swarbrick
Te āhua nui: Two men soak in a natural thermal pool

He korero whakarapopoto

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

What is a thermal pool?

A thermal (hot) pool or spring forms when rainwater seeps down through rocks to the earth’s hot zone, where it gets heated. Then it bubbles up to form a pool, containing minerals dissolved from the rocks. Sitting in the water helps some people with medical problems.

Where are New Zealand’s hot pools?

The most famous hot pools are in the Taupō volcanic zone, which includes Rotorua. There are others around the country, including Te Aroha, and Hanmer in the South Island. Some are hidden in native bush. At Hot Water Beach, Coromandel, you can dig your own pool in the sand.

Early days in New Zealand

Māori people used springs for cooking, bathing, washing, and treating ailments. European settlers also enjoyed the springs, and they built bathhouses and sold the water in bottles. They often made Māori use separate pools.

Building spas

In the 19th century in Europe, spas (health resorts built around natural springs) were very fashionable. The New Zealand government copied this idea, for two reasons: to treat medical problems, and to attract tourists. From 1880 they built big spas at Rotorua, Te Aroha and Hanmer Springs. Visitors soaked in the pools and enjoyed the tearooms, bowling greens and beautiful gardens.

Health benefits

People hoped that bathing in or drinking the waters would cure problems ranging from arthritis to insomnia. Invalids were given massage, and some strange-looking treatments with electric wires. Later there were also spa hospitals, such as Rotorua’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, which still treats rheumatic diseases.

Problems

From about 1905 the government spas were losing money and needed repairs. The government stopped funding the spas in 1971.

Some waters contained gases and bugs that caused illness and even some deaths.

Pools and spas today

Many spas and baths have been restored, and thousands of Kiwis and tourists visit to bathe or have massages. And you can still buy Lemon and Paeroa drink (L&P), a mineral water first bottled in 1907 at Paeroa, on the Hauraki Plains.

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārangi:

Nancy Swarbrick, 'Thermal pools and spas', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/mi/thermal-pools-and-spas (accessed 19 March 2024)

He kōrero nā Nancy Swarbrick, i tāngia i te 12 o Hune 2006