Joint venture partners sought for Waiwera resort 2.0
Kia ora neighbours. A revival of the defunct Waiwera thermal resort is in the works.
Waiwera Thermal Spa Resort used to host about 350,000 visitors a year, but closed in February 2018 and fell to ruin. Russian oligarch Mikhail Khimich, who ran the water park and Waiwera water bottling company, went into liquidation in 2019. Khimich reportedly died with Covid-19 in Russia in late 2021.
Urban Partners are now seeking expressions of interest from a potential joint venture partner.
“The site has extraordinary potential, recognised as a regional tourist attraction by the Auckland Unitary Plan and has zoning allowing for business, residential developments, health and wellness, tourism, hospitality and visitor accommodation," project director Doug Osborne said.
"Given the site’s proximity to Auckland, and the booming wellness industry, which is now worth $4.5 trillion, we expect the site to be of real interest to specialist operators from around the globe."
Click 'read more' for the full report by Susan Edmunds. Video by Chris McKeen.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.4% Yes
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14.1% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Riddle Me This: Can You Out-Smart Yesterday’s Champ?
How can the number four be half of five?
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