$1m repairs as DoC looks to reopen Springs early 2024

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The Mōrere Hot Springs tourist attraction looks set to reopen this summer, after almost a year-long closure.

The Department of Conservation-managed facility has been permanently closed since December 21 due to the failure of the septic system and lack of availability of a suitably experienced and qualified contractor to fix it; ongoing staff shortages; and a further failure of a main hot water pipeline post-cyclones Hale and Gabrielle.

That followed its initial closure because of Covid-19 mandated national directives in 2020. Following the end of mandates, the facility was only open three days a week because of a lack of staff until it closed again in December.

Department of Conservation Gisborne operations manager Matt Tong said it was expected the Mōrere Hot Springs would reopen in early 2024.

“We would love to be able to confirm an exact date but we’re not in a position to do so at this time due to uncertainties with the repair construction work time-frames.

“To date, significant minor repairs have been completed at this site including pool and pump infrastructure repairs, plumbing lines and drainage repairs, minor building repairs including changing room facilities and track realignments due to drop-outs and other damage. Our contractor will soon be commencing the major repair projects at the site including full septic system replacement, hot water line repair and replacement, and facility repainting.”

Mr Tong said the total cost of the repairs were expected to be more than $1 million, including DoC staff time and contractor costs, including time and materials.