Hanmer Springs opens new water playground

November 25, 2020

A new water playground, AquaPlay, has been opened in the Canterbury resort town of Hanmer Springs.

Opened by students from Kaiapoi's teen parent unit Karanga Mai and their children last week the all-ages children's AquaPlay area features brightly coloured water slides and spouts.

Advising that the new AquaPlay area will add to the fun features of the business and will make the complex even more appealing to visitors, Graeme Abbot, General Manager of Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa, telling Canterbury Lifestyle “we are really looking forward to sharing the new AquaPlay space with all those who visit this summer.

"The first two stages of AquaPlay have already proven to be a hit with many of our young visitors. It's exciting to now have this development fully complete in time for summer, with a range of child-friendly slides and water features."

AquaPlay was due for completion earlier this year but its opening was hampered by COVID-19, with the new slide delayed overseas for several months.

Abbot said it was a special morning hosting the group from the teen parent unit, which offers study and childcare support to young people, adding “teen parents are often the unsung heroes of our society, making the best of a situation that is often not of their choosing. But these mums are doing a fantastic job so we wanted to give them a bit of joy - it's meant a lot to our team."

Karanga Mai is one of the free social and community services offered by Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust, which is supported by Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa.

Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust Manager Deirdre Ryan said she was extremely grateful for the support.

Ryan noted “inviting our Karanga Mai Early Learning Centre whanau along to the opening of the AquaPlay feels both special, and a fitting celebration of the amazing work our young parents do everyday, caring for their tamariki."

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa was recently named winner in the Luxury Hot Springs category at the 2020 World Luxury Spa Awards.

Image: The new AquaPlay area. Credit: Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa.

20th November 2020 - Lincoln University academic wins top New Zealand tourism award

20th November 2020 - New Zealand Tourism Minister sets goals to attract ‘high-net-worth’ visitors

18th November 2020 - New Zealand tourism operators struggling with staffing

24th July 2020 - Hanmer Springs receives government funding for ‘Fly-Line’ tourist attraction

22nd May 2020 - Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools to reopen next week

16th March 2020 - Life Floor gains growing recognition as preferred safety surface for splash pads and pool surrounds

28th February 2020 - ‘Go with Tourism’ jobs programme launched in Canterbury

8th November 2019 - New Zealand’s largest waterslide and sustainable thermal pools open at Hanmer Springs

11th September 2019 - CINZ Chief Executive Sue Sullivan to move to new role at Christchurch and Hanmer Attractions

31st July 2019 - Hanmer Springs announces name for new waterslide

14th June 2019 - New community aquatic playground opens in Singapore

9th May 2019 - Waterplay Solutions Corp takes a lead in aquatic play and waterpark research

18th April 2019 - Hanmer Springs adopt green approach to installing new thermal pools

20th February 2019 - Hanmer Springs granted consent for new aquatic ride and thermal pools

4th November 2018 - Canterbury researchers use social media analysis to understand sustainable tourism

19th November 2017 - Canterbury’s Mt Hutt once again named New Zealand’s best ski resort

15th November 2015 - Risky outdoor play positively impacts children’s health

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