Hot Pools Lease Update May 2nd 2024

In July 2022 Kaikōura District Council entered into a concession (lease) with Kaikōura Springs Ltd in the name of the Minister of Conservation over part of the Kaikōura recreational reserve adjacent to the Esplanade. This concession was entered into in good faith following a process undertaken to meet relevant statutory requirements and was based upon existing information which indicated that the reserve was vested in the Crown.

However, it has subsequently been determined that the reserve is vested in Council rather than the Crown, and as a result that the original concession was null and void. This has also made the proposal to extend the development area null and void, and Council has accordingly determined to discontinue the process (no deliberations will be held or decision on the proposal to extend the lease area will be made). Council has informed Kaikōura Springs Ltd of this outcome.

In light of the vesting, Council will be working through proper Reserves Act processes with regard to the reserve area, which will include the establishment of a formal reserve management plan. These processes will include opportunity for further public consultation and input before any decision is made regarding the future use of the reserve area.

Council remains committed to working with the developer to help enable a hot pools spa and wellness development within the Kaikōura District.

Mayor Craig Mackle said “We need to ensure that as a Council we have followed the correct process for our decisions. Through the recent consultation process we have been able to determine further historic information that we were not aware of at the start. We will be working through what that means for the next steps and all viable options within the District remain on the table for consideration. There has been very strong support for a hot pools, spa and wellness facility in the District shown by the community to date”