The power of communal bathing has inspired the inception of a new sustainable spa and wellness tourism destination in south-east New Zealand.

With the strapline ‘sourced from the mountains, powered by the sun’, the two-hectare property in Methven has been designed to deliver a sustainable hot pool and spa experience set against a mountain backdrop.

Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa has recently launched featuring a collection of pools filled with water from the nearby Rangitata river that’s fed by glacial meltwater from New Zealand’s Southern Alps. These are heated by power sourced from an on-site solar farm.

Owned and operated by Methven Adventures, the project was developed over two years following an investment of NZ$17m (€10.2m, US$11.8m, £8.7m).

Ōpuke GM, James Mattinson, told Spa Business the project has been conceived to welcome all ages.

“Our vision is to build a premium-quality, sustainable hot pools and spa facility in the heart of mid-Canterbury that attracts visitors from all corners of New Zealand and the rest of the world,” he says.

“The facility caters to the needs of families, adults and private spa guests, offering a host of innovative customer experiences.

“Our ethos is inspired by the spectacular mountain backdrop of our two-hectare site and draws on the ‘clean green’ principles of sustainable operations,” Mattinson adds.

Facility mix
Ōpuke has an exclusive adults-only area as well as a family-friendly hot pool area featuring an aqua play zone to encourage curiosity and adventure.

All areas are linked by an interconnected network of pools that follow the form of a river, allowing for private nooks, open spaces and ample room to explore.

The adult’s area features water jet massages, bubble therapy, sauna therapies, a cold plunge pool and a luxury relaxation area.

The offering is completed by four secluded cedar hot tubs with views across the foothills of the Southern Alps, a pool bar, a social spa hut, hot pool packages and private cabanas for the delivery of premium treatments.

The on-site spa is home to five treatment rooms, including two for couples, a four-person rasul and a relaxation lounge. Here, visitors are offered a range of treatments supplied by French spa and skincare brand, Yon-Ka.

Spa and wellness consultants Spa Vision and Spa Guru Consulting have supported the Ōpuke project since its early stages, with the scheme being developed on a turnkey basis.

This involved them working alongside product-house Kurland which has designed and supplied a custom rasul room and Soft-Pack system – a cocoon waterbed for delivering body treatments.

Marketing the dream
“We’ve got a marketing plan that will roll out in phases to attract customers from Christchurch and the wider Canterbury area to kick things off. Next, we’ll roll out our campaign to the whole of New Zealand and then to the rest of the globe once the borders reopen.

“We want to give everyone the opportunity to be able to experience Ōpuke,” Mattinson explains, “our offering is extremely inclusive.”

Ōpuke is up and running, he says the team may look at opening other sites or additional developments in or around Methven.

More: www.opuke.nz