Although the opening was delayed several times due to supply chain issues and the latest Covid-19 lockdown, Opuke Thermal Pools and Day Spa in Methven on New Zealand’s South Island was formally opened on Wednesday, November 24.
The opening ceremony for the $15 million facility was attended by community leaders and Stuart Nash, Regional Economic Development and Tourism Minister.
In 2019, then government minister, Shane Jones announced funding from the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund for the project. It received $7.5 million to ensure it would become a reality.
Stuart Nash viewed the new facility and described it a “world-class.”
“It’s outstanding,” he said. “This is the sort of project we envisioned helping when we set up the Provincial Growth Fund.”
Covid-19 had caused an economic downturn, particular for tourism, however Nash believed domestic tourism would gather momentum this summer.
“Domestic tourism spending in Canterbury was worth $1.44 billion in the year to September 2021, an increase of 25 per cent on the previous year, and up 21 per cent on pre-Covid spending in the year to September 2019.”
