Ngawha could be tourism hot spot

The Ngawha Ginn Spa baths may combine with the Waiariki pools to develop a geothermal tourist attraction to rival Rotorua, Taupo and Hanmer Springs. Photo / Debbie Beadle-Taylor

Ngawha Ginn Spa could turn into a major tourist attraction similar to geothermal hot pool resorts in Rotorua, Taupo and Hanmer Springs, after Far North power company Top Energy bought the site.

The lines network operator and electricity generator bought the Ngawha Ginn Spa baths and farm as part of a land buy-up believed to cover nearly 200ha of the geothermal field. The company intends to keep operating the facility and has closed it temporarily while it undertakes extensive renovations.

The sale was completed two weeks ago. Details remain confidential.

Top Energy CEO Russell Shaw said there was a "tremendous opportunity" to develop a tourist attraction at Ngawha.

Top Energy planned to talk to the owners of the Waiariki spa alongside the Ginn baths about a joint development which would retain the cultural values of the area and attract more visitors. Mr Shaw also said the former Ginn farm was over the hottest part of the geothermal field which was critical to Top Energy plans to increase geothermal power generation at Ngawha from 25 to 75 megawatts. Three commissioners will hear the resource consent application for the expansion on August 10.

Mr Shaw said Top Energy had moved swiftly to renovate the new Ngawha Spa as it wanted to re-open the doors as soon as possible.

"At this stage we are completing options and design works to assess the degree of work involved so I'm unable at this stage to say how much the project will cost or when the spa will be re-opened," he said.

"I want to reassure the community that the re-opening will be as soon as possible, though."

Mr Shaw said the spa had "huge potential" but it required extensive work to bring it up to the standards expected by visitors to Northland.

"This is a special place of significant historic and cultural importance. It deserves a little love, care and attention to bring it up to the standard of other attractions in the region. This is exactly what we intend to provide."