Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

‘Miserable weather’ impacts guest numbers at Hastings Splash Planet

‘Miserable weather’ impacts guest numbers at Hastings Splash Planet
January 17, 2025

Poor weather during its traditional peak summer period has impacted guest numbers at the Splash Planet waterpark and amusement attraction in Hawke’s Bay with Hastings District Council reporting a drop in attendance and revenue.

Hastings’ top tourist attraction, which normally draws more than 100,000 visitors a year, is reported to have welcomed 12,864 fewer visitors over recent weeks resulting in a drop in revenue of more than $300,000.

As reported by Hawkes Bay Today, Hastings District Council Aquatics Manager Tom Page said that up until Christmas Day, the numbers using the outdoor facilities were very similar to last year.

However, Page advised that “the miserable weather we have had since then has undoubtedly had an impact on both Splash Planet and Havelock North's Village Pools.

"That rough weather is also likely why we have seen higher use of the indoor facilities at Clive and Flaxmere.

"What we are hoping for now is some real summer weather, so we can all get out and enjoy the water, at whichever facility we prefer.

"Until the season is finished we will not know if the total revenue budget has been met at Splash Planet.

"There is still time, weather permitting, for the revenue budget to be met.

"In the meantime, staff are reducing expenditure, where possible, to mitigate the loss, with the intention that the net effect will be minimised.”

Figures were compared from 1st December 2023 to 8th January 2024, and 1st December 2024 to 8th January 2025.

A big increase in visitors to the Flaxmere indoor pools was recorded as a total of 1605 swimmers sought out warm water. This figure was 682 more visitors in the 2024/25 period when compared to the 923 visitors during the same time last year.

The Clive Indoor pool also had increased visitors, a total of 1670 for 2024/25 and 1501 in 2023/24.

At the outdoor pool in Havelock North, there were 2956 fewer visitors, with 8641 in the 2023/24 period compared to 5685 in 2024/25.

At Ocean Spa in Napier, 2773 fewer people visited over the same period with a total of 24,714, while the same period last summer saw 27,487 visitors.

At the Napier Aquatic Centre, there were 338 fewer visitors with the total for the 2023/24 period standing at a figure of 17,435 compared with 17,097 in 2024/25.

A $2.4 million upgrade of facilities was undertaken last year, undertaken in the Cyclone Gabrielle aftermath.

The attraction, which includes several pools, waterslides, a lazy river and other activities, was formerly known as Fantasyland before being rebranded and reopened in 1998.

It has been managed, funded and governed by Hastings District Council since 2004.

Image: Splash Planet. Credit: Hastings District Council.

Related Articles

16th August 2024 - Latest TEA/AECOM global attractions report shows theme parks, waterparks and museums as having ‘closed the chapter’ on recovery

12th March 2024 - Further funding for Hawke’s Bay learn to swim and water safety programme

24th January 2024 - Splash Planet’s summer attendance expected to surpass previous visitor numbers

1st January 2024 - Severe weather closes Gold Coast attractions, aquatic centres and sports hubs

23rd September 2023 - Queenstown rebounds after weather event and prepares to welcome visitors

25th May 2023 - Hastings District Council to invest $2.4 million in upgrades at Splash Planet Hawke’s Bay

19th May 2023 - Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre benefits from $1 million investment by PAK’nSAVE Hastings

18th October 2022 - Splash Planet recognises the benefits of inclusion

26th September 2022 - Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre secures four major New Zealand swimming events

29th January 2021 - Bumper season for Hastings’ Splash Planet

14th January 2019 - Hastings District Council reports busy summer season at Splash Planet and community pools

31st January 2018 - Hot weather having big impact on New Zealand’s ‘water tower’ glaciers

14th June 2015 - Temperatures the key at Asian Waterparks in 2014

24th April 2015 - Fire damaged Splash Planet Pirate Ship to be replaced

2nd September 2014 - Splash Planet teams up with the Hawke’s Bay Rugby

1st June 2014 - Hastings’ public swimming pools return to council management

22nd March 2013 - Wild weather and inaccurate forecasts impact holiday park bookings

15th March 2010 - Hastings Consults on Aquatic Facilities Strategy


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

WATERPLAY Solutions Corp

Whether your goal is increasing your centre's revenues or creating an engaging environment, why not add play to your project? If you're looking for stylish aquatic play features, kid-tested…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Recreation / Waterparks

 
 

LIFE FLOOR (Aus & NZ)

Our team believes floors should be beautiful, comfortable, and engineered for safety, even when wet. Life Floor tiles meet six unique performance based standards: slip-resistance, impact absorption,…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Recreation / Safety / Surfaces

 
 

Yellowbox Lockers

Yellowbox is an Australian technology company that has developed smart locker technology operated through an app with a focus on experience for users and facility managers. Found at Beaches, Aquatic…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Entertainment / Retail / Security

 
 

Tim Batt Water Solutions

Tim Batt Water Solutions are at the very forefront of the commercial aquatic business in Australia, with over 30 years specific experience supplying and installing chemical control and dosing…

read more

Aquatics / Environment / Recreation / Technology / Venues

 
 

Worldwide Sports Management

Principal Consultant Simon Weatherill has spent the last 20 years developing the world renowned Melbourne Sports Hub, as former Chief Executive Officer of the State Sports Centres Trust…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

TJS Services

TJS Services is a leading national facility services provider. We deliver quality cleaning, maintenance, construction and facility management services to over 1,500 sites Australia wide.  Our…

read more

Hospitality / Retail / Venues

 
 

Otium Planning Group

Otium Planning Group is a contemporary sport and leisure consultancy providing services in planning, facility development, management and funding for the sport, recreation and leisure industries…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

Aflex Inflatables

Aflex Inflatables are the leaders for obstacle courses, pool toys, waterparks and land-based watersides and fitness runs. They are industry leaders offering the widest range of pool, lake and beach…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Waterparks

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business