He Puna Taimoana
Monday10:00 am – 7:30 pm.
Tuesday10:00 am – 7:30 pm.
Wednesday10:00 am – 7:30 pm.
Thursday10:00 am – 7:30 pm.
Friday10:00 am – 10:00 pm.
Saturday10:00 am – 7:30 pm.
Sunday10:00 am – 7:30 pm.
Nestled beside the sandy beaches of New Brighton, you’ll find He Puna Taimoana, aka the New Brighton Hot Pools, boasting five luxurious hot pools with jaw dropping ocean views, a plunge pool, steam room, and a rejuvenating sauna. For Christchurch residents, this relaxing oasis is just a 15 minute jaunt from the CBD.
Basking a long, hot salt water soak doesn’t just feel amazing, though. New Brighton’s original hot pools-- "Howey’s Hydrobaths”--date back to the early 1900s, and were credited with curing sciatica, rheumatism and other ailments. These days, a relaxing soak is associated with calming the nervous system, minimizing inflammation, and boosting circulation.
The five pools range in temperature to suit your needs, with a 39-degree pool for muscle-relaxation, and a 36-degree pool that’s perfect for the whole family. The plunge pool sits at around 10 degrees--ideal for indulging in a little hot/cold therapy. All five pools are heated using energy-efficient, ground sourced heat pumps.
The New Brighton Hot Pools are connected to the delicious and charming Saturdays cafe, so you can indulge in a Saturday's bene and a hot cuppa before or after your session. For a special occasion or well-deserved pampering (exclusive to the winter season), you can even book into He Puna Taimoana's most luxurious experience yet - the Sunrise Soak. With a robe and a mocktail in hand, greet the day with a rejuvenating dip and watch the golden rays of the sun peek above the horizon. While families and little ones are welcome to the hot pools, you can also book in an adults-only late night session on Fridays from 8pm.
Don’t just take our word for it, though. The pools offer four sessions to book into daily between 10am - 5.30pm, so you have plenty of chances to squeeze a dip into your schedule. The team regulates how many people are in the pools to ensure a relaxing experience, so bookings are essential--just hop over to their website to check the availability.
Words by Caitlin Brown & Photography by Nancy Zhou
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Location
195 Marine Parade, New Brighton, Christchurch
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New Brighton
Bygone days of seaside prosperity linger in the eastern suburb of New Brighton, but don’t be surprised if you fall for its current bohemian charm. With newly emerging hospitality, He Puna Taimoana hot pools and 18 kilometres of sandy coastline, New Brighton has a distinctive appeal.
Having famously gained popularity in the 1960s - when New Brighton was the only shopping centre open on a Saturday in Christchurch - crowds would routinely flock to the shops where they could pick up their wares, an ice cream and stroll along the pier. Nowadays, locals and visitors alike can still be seen meandering down the longest pier in Australasia and breathing in some of that salty sea air.
