There's nothing better than soaking in a hot pool such as Whitianga's Lost Springs to aid relaxation.
A sweet holiday park around a Victorian homestead at the foot of Mt Te Aroha, with two hot pools, one with jets ideal to massage aching limbs and a pure mineral water hot tub. The minerals will make your skin feel 20 years younger.
Stanley Rd, Te Aroha.
Head around Taupo towards Turangi to the tiny village of Tokaanu where the Ngati Kurauia people of Ngati Tuwharetoa share their wai ora (healing waters). It's old school, but that just adds to the hidden treasure. Check out private pools on a starry night.
Mangaroa St, Tokaanu.
A labour of love -- or craziness -- this luxury Whitianga spot took years to rediscover. There's now beautifully landscaped tropical gardens and bush, thermal spring waters and pampering day spa treatments, with on-site restaurants.
121A Cook Drive, Whitianga.
This is really out of the way -- Great Barrier Island, in fact. The Department of Conservation track follows the ancient shoreline of the Kaitoke wetlands and regenerating kanuka forest, a 45-minute walk complete with birdsong. Suitable for wheelchairs or push chairs. A natural hot pool with deeper pools further upstream -- nothing man-made here.
Whangaparapara Rd, near Claris, Great Barrier Island.
Another glorious old school hotel, with hot springs reached by a fern-lined bush walk on the banks of the Waihou river. This township past Tirau is a step back to the past, with a restaurant and golf course too, with campgrounds for low-fi holidays.
18 Sommerville Rd, Okoroire.
Boasting more Michelin-star restaurants than anywhere else outside of London.