from Architecture Now
“Taking an acutely unique Māori world view, we pay reverence to the prestige of Wai Ariki, to the whenua [land] upon which it stands and to the iwi of Ngāti Whakaue (nō mua, nō muri, nō nāianei) [before, afterwards, and now], who helped conceptualise, build and now occupy, this significant Ngāti Whakaue whare as uri whakaheke [descendants].
“RCG was first awarded the commission by client Pukeroa Lakefront Holdings (a tourism entity of Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust) in 2012. The brief called for a spa and wellness experience that was uniquely Ngāti Whakaue and grounded in Ngāti Whakaue healing practices, to be managed by Belgravia Leisure. There are few facilities of this scale that are developed and owned by indigenous people; therefore, this project has global significance.
“The project began with a master plan for the full seven-hectare site, with the briefing, design and documentation stages completed by April 2021 when construction started. Wai Ariki was formally opened in June 2023.
“The 4300m2 Wai Ariki facility is situated on a 1.6-hectare site at the eastern end of the redeveloped Rotorua lakefront and positioned to enable a viewshaft along the western boundary to celebrate Te Rotorua-nuia-Kahumatamomoe and the sacred Mokoia beyond.