Dinosaur to star in Rainbow Springs' NZ$10 million Big Splash water ride

Rotorua's Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park is set to launch its Big Splash water ride on 2nd January.

The 431 metre-long flume ride will take boats of up to eight people on a nine-minute journey through the ecological evolution of New Zealand. Capable of carrying about 500 people an hour when full, the Big Splash journey will include the era of dinosaurs (including a life-size dinosaur and an animated Haast eagle attack on a moa), the arrival of Maori and Europeans, with commentary, animations, models and an "adrenaline boosting" 12 metre plunge into a splash down area.

Rainbow Springs General Manager Michelle Caldwell says that "the ride will be exhilarating - particularly at night with darkness adding a whole new dimension to the experience, a perfect 'wow' factor."

Construction of the multi-million dollar water ride is well underway with the Maori Pa site nearly completed, the two lift sections that will elevate riders in place and only the splash down and run-out section at the end of the concrete flume left to be laid.

The NZ$10 million ride is expected to be a major draw-card for Rotorua, giving international and local visitors an exciting insight into New Zealand history and culture.

Project Big Splash also includes construction of an outdoor 384-seat, free-flight bird show auditorium, that will be completed in the next few weeks, along with a children's playground and cafe.

Auckland-based special effects workshop Mainreactor, which has worked on the Chronicles of Narnia films and Spartacus television series, has built models for the ride including the Haast eagles, moa and the 3.5 metre high, seven metre long Theropod dinosaur.

Rainbow Springs Project Director Stewart Brown said the eagle will fly on a hidden compressed air ram to attack the moa, while the dinosaur will be startled by the boat while drinking from the flume, stating "and he gives you a bit of a bellow.

"The Haast eagle's dramatic attack on the moa during the ride shows the power and strength of New Zealand's now extinct massive native eagle, which is believed to have attacked its prey at up to 80km/h.

"It will be very dramatic."

The Big Splash ride will also be available for exclusive evening hire by groups – with corporate events becoming an increasingly important area of park operations.

Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park offers a number of function spaces, with the newly extended cafe seating up to 120 for dinner or lunch.

Michelle Caldwell adds "one group option is pre-dinner cocktails and canapés backdropped by our spring water pool and waterfall, or dessert and an after dinner ride.

The cost of the project was being met by Ngai Tahu Holdings, the shareholder of Rainbow Springs owner Ngai Tahu Tourism. It is the largest single investment made in the park since it opened in 1932.

Spread over 22 acres of Rotorua parkland, Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park is a conservation and breeding haven for endangered New Zealand species such as Kiwi and tuatara. The park offers a unique wildlife experience for visitors, who can see animals in their natural environment, both during the day and night. Features of the award winning tourist attraction include New Zealand’s first 'open to view' Kiwi hatchery, and a range of wildlife including trout, tuatara and native birds.