Lake Rotoiti hot pools give warm welcome

Townies without boats can expect a free ride and a warm welcome at the Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools' 100th anniversary celebrations.

The celebrations take place this Thursday (Waitangi Day) through until Sunday, with a floating bouncy castle, sausage sizzles and ice blocks over the weekend and outdoor movies on Friday and Saturday nights.

Officially known as the Manupirua Springs, the hot pools on the lake edge are only accessible by water and have long been a popular meeting point for Lake Rotoiti residents and boaties.

But owner Tim Manning is keen to give those without boats the opportunity to see what they have been missing out on.

A free water taxi service will run from Thursday to Sunday from the boat ramp at the Amora Lake Resort at Okawa Bay - departing at 12pm, 3pm and 6pm.

"We wanted to open it up for the weekend," he said. "It's a chance for the townies who have never been here to come out."

Mr Manning said the hot pools opened commercially in February 1914. However, local Maori had bathed in them since 1849.

With Lake Rotoiti being the cleanest it had been in years, the pools were now more popular than ever, he said.

"It's a magnet," he said. "I don't know of any others in New Zealand that don't have a road go to them, it's a unique situation."

Mr Manning said he expected the weekend to be one of the busiest in the pools' history but, with five pools and four jetties, there was plenty of space.

"Everyone is invited. If they can get to the taxi, they can come out, they will be made to feel welcome," he said. "They will be stunned by the experience."

Normal admission prices apply. For full details see www.lakerotoitihotpools.com.