Kia ora tatou,

My understanding is that the admission price is there to assist with the upgrade and on-going costs of the bath i.e. maintenance etc.

At the end of the day, our bath is on private land (Maori freehold land title, known as Waitangi 3 – go to the Maori Land Court in Rotorua if you require further details). Non-owners need to be thankful that it has stayed ‘admission-free’ for so long, because the other option was that the bath could have been closed permanently and trespass notices put up.

The bath was in a terrible state before the upgrade, rubbish everywhere etc, and it’s thanks to the current trustees that it is in such a great state now.

Also, the commercial reality is that the trust needs to source it’s funds from somewhere to maintain things and unfortunately ‘aroha’ can only get you so far.

So congratulations to the trustees – job well done.

And for those who don’t like the ‘admission price’ the Polynesian Pools is only a further 30 minute drive and a $14 – 20 admission fee away.

Na tetahi o nga uri o Ngati Tamateatuthi-Kawiti.

Haumi e, hui e, taiki e