Information
- Hanmer Springs Hot Springs / Pools
History of Hanmer Springs Hot Pools New
Zealand
Historically, the springs were believed
to be known to Maori.
Maori legend tells of Tamatea calling
on the Ariki of the Northern Volcanoes, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe
to save his party from freezing on their return to the North Island,
after their canoe was wrecked off the Otago Coast.
The Ariki answered by sending flames
down the Wanganui River and across to Nelson, where they rose in
the air, dropping a piece off in Hanmer Springs. This gave rise
to the hot springs, known as “Te Whakatakaka O Te Ngarehu
O Ahi Tamatea” – where the ashes of
Tamatea’s fire lay.
Hanmer Springs, as it is now known,
has been enjoyed by visitors for
123 years. The thermal resources in the area were discovered in
1859. However, early development
was hindered by the inaccessibility of the region and it was another
20 years before the springs were developed, with the construction
of an iron bathing shed and appointment of a manager in 1879.
In the early period, use of the pools
was closely linked to the activities of the Queen Mary Hospital.
Recreational bathing has always played a part but other activities
such as the recuperation of the solders returning from war, relief
for the arthritic and disabled have had a
major role in its history.
The bore is just outside the complex
and although not the original, it is in the approximate area that
the pools were found. The thermal water is no longer at the surface
because of the quantity of water that is drawn. If draw off were
discontinued the water would return to
the surface.
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