$10 million for new QE spa complex

BRIGHT FUTURE: QE Health general manager Andrina Romano and QE Trust chairman Paul Laing, with New Caledonian visitors Michel Aubaud and Juanita Bouye. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

QE Health is developing plans for a $10 million purpose-built facility due to open in 2018 as it looks to cope with increased demand - including a boom in French Polynesian people travelling to the facility for "wellness" treatments.

QE Health board chairman Paul Laing said work was under way drawing up plans for a new facility once the lease expired, as part of the wider Pukeroa Oruawhata development of lakefront land.

He said they were working with Pukeroa Oruawhata for a site on the "campus" and plans were under way for the new facility, which would cost "north" of the $10 million mark. "How much north of that, I'm not sure."

While they would not necessarily be on the same site as part of the proposed redevelopment, Mr Laing said they were confident they would be a part of the wider campus and would continue to offer the same services, with staff being involved in the planning process.

Mr Laing said QE Health was in an exciting position, with growing demand for service, including health boards looking to engage them for more services and a boom in French Polynesian tourists.

"It's been a challenging time for the last three to four years as we've tried to shore up the ship but we are confident now we are not just promising to do better, we are actually doing better."

General manager Andrina Romano said that over the past few months the facility had noticed a phenomenal jump in the number of French Polynesian people using the facility.

They were coming for an average of three weeks of daily treatments, focused around health and wellness.

Ms Romano said while they had always had a small French Polynesian market it had taken off this year, with a longer season and increased interest.

"We've easily doubled the number of French clients choosing to come to QE Health as part of a three-week wellness trip.

"This year we have had a phenomenal rise in the area."

Ms Romano said most were coming as individuals and stayed about three weeks, with 21 consecutive days of treatments.

They were now working with tour operators for the first time looking at expanding.

"It is a mix of keeping themselves well to the treatment side. Their belief system is that wellness is very important."