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April 27, 2021
Revamped Ngawha part of bigger vision for Taitokerau tourism
Waatea Team
Posted On April 27, 2021
Former provincial growth minister Shane Jones says the revamped Ngāwhā Springs Hot Pools are just part of a cluster of infrastructure that sets a foundation for growth as the north comes out of Covid.
The pools reopened today after a year-long, $4 million refurbishment funded by the Provincial Growth Fund, Foundation North, Lotteries, Te Puni Kōkiri and Northland Inc.
Mr Jones says the Ngāwhā or Pārahirahi area is also benefiting from an industrial park that will bring new businesses and jobs, the extension of Top Energy’s Ngāwhā geothermal power station, the north’s first water storage project at Matawii, and the restoration of the 150-year-old St Michael‘s Church on the site of the Battle of Ōhaeawai.
There are other tourism initiatives in the region funded by the PGF.
"The model was to have a stretch of tourism infrastructure from the Kupe Centre at the mouth of the Hokianga Harbour right through to the restoration of the jetty and related infrastructure in Kororāreka so that visitors to the north are able to capture the rustic charms of the west coast and also enjoy the well-established features of the Bay of Islands," Mr Jones says.
He says tourism businesses need ongoing financial support, because coming out of Covid the attractions will need to be remarketed.
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