Our Story
Sourced from the Mountains. Powered by the Sun - Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa are proud to be the first thermal solar powered hot pools in the world.
Our story starts when a local business owner, Dave Dynes had an idea to put hot pools into Methven. He, along with other Methven locals started Methven Hot Pools Ltd (MHP) in 2012 and attained the rights to buy the land, commissioned important feasibility reports and gained consent to build.
In 2016, Methven Adventures Ltd (MAL) formed by James McKenzie, Lloyd Robinson and Andrew Cartwright, and bought the rights to continue the project from MHP.
With spectacular views of the Southern Alps, guests immerse into beautiful clean water originally glacial melt, with the knowledge that our build and day to day processes are drawn from the “clean green” principles of sustainable operations as well as the story of Ranginui and Papatuanuku (Sky Father and Earth Mother) and tikanga Māori. Our Ōpuke promise: “Sourced from the mountains, powered by the sun” embodies the most compelling attributes of our region, and combines a unique, sustainable, and premium experience.
Sourced from the mountains
Ōpuke sources water from the Rangitata River that is fed by the glacial melt water emerging from the spectacular Southern Alps. Our industry-leading water-treatment system ensures exceptional purity of our bathing water.
Powered by the sun
A large array of solar thermal collector panels, occupying approximately a quarter of the site, serves as the primary pool water heating system – even on the shortest day in winter, 100% of the pool heating load is met by the solar array (when the sun is out!). Every evening, pool water is transferred to insulated holding tanks outside of operating hours to minimise heat losses. Every morning, the pools are re-filled through state of the art push button technology.
Our Vision
ŌPUKE VISION
Our vision is to provide a world class experience, making Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa the most desirable and memorable thermal pool destination in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We will do this by displaying premium level hospitality, looking after our people, respecting our cultural heritage and displaying the utmost care for our environment, setting the standard for sustainable tourism.
Sourced from the mountains, Powered by the Sun.
ŌPUKE VALUES
Manaakitanga – Hospitality - Showing an excellent level of hospitality to provide our guests with a premier experience, showing respect for each visitor and their safety
Whanaungatanga – Family - Ensuring we provide a safe, inclusive and welcoming workplace for all our team members
Tikanga – Appropriate Action - Respecting our cultural heritage and sharing our stories with our visitors and guests
Kaitiakitanga – Stewardship - Caring for our environment and ensuring we are working in a sustainable way in everything we do
ŌPUKE PLEDGE
We will go above and beyond to build strong customer loyalty.
We will use natural resources to minimise our footprint.
We will deliver world-class spa treatments that uniquely meld Māoritanga and modern methods.
We will grow with our local community in a sustainable way.
Sustainability
Sourced from the Mountains, Powered by the Sun
At Ōpuke sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, from operations to water maintenance, to food and beverage we aim to be a leader within the industry and offer an eco-conscious facility to be proud of. Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa sources water from the Rangitata river that is fed by the glacial melt water emerging from the spectacular Southern Alps. An industry-leading water-treatment system ensures exceptional purity of our bathing water.
We are the first facility operating with our spectacular Solar Field, a large array of solar thermal collectors, occupying approximately a quarter of the site, serving as the primary pool water heating system – even on the shortest day in winter, 100% of the pool heating load is met by the solar array (when the sun is out!) Pool water is transferred to insulated holding tanks outside of operating hours to minimise heat losses. Excess solar energy is stored in buffer tanks and used in combination with energy efficient heat pumps (powered by South Island Hydro schemes) to make up shortfalls in solar energy during cloudy periods and at night without compromising the integrity of our brand.