'Miserable weather' impacts guest numbers at Hastings Splash Planet

Poor weather during its traditional peak summer period has impacted guest numbers at the Splash Planet waterpark and amusement attraction in Hawke’s Bay with Hastings District Council reporting a drop in attendance and revenue.

Hastings’ top tourist attraction, which normally draws more than 100,000 visitors a year, is reported to have welcomed 12,864 fewer visitors over recent weeks resulting in a drop in revenue of more than $300,000.

As reported by Hawkes Bay Today, Hastings District Council Aquatics Manager Tom Page said that up until Christmas Day, the numbers using the outdoor facilities were very similar to last year.

However, Page advised that “the miserable weather we have had since then has undoubtedly had an impact on both Splash Planet and Havelock North's Village Pools.

"That rough weather is also likely why we have seen higher use of the indoor facilities at Clive and Flaxmere.

"What we are hoping for now is some real summer weather, so we can all get out and enjoy the water, at whichever facility we prefer.

"Until the season is finished we will not know if the total revenue budget has been met at Splash Planet.

"There is still time, weather permitting, for the revenue budget to be met.

"In the meantime, staff are reducing expenditure, where possible, to mitigate the loss, with the intention that the net effect will be minimised.”

Figures were compared from 1st December 2023 to 8th January 2024, and 1st December 2024 to 8th January 2025.

A big increase in visitors to the Flaxmere indoor pools was recorded as a total of 1605 swimmers sought out warm water. This figure was 682 more visitors in the 2024/25 period when compared to the 923 visitors during the same time last year.

The Clive Indoor pool also had increased visitors, a total of 1670 for 2024/25 and 1501 in 2023/24.

At the outdoor pool in Havelock North, there were 2956 fewer visitors, with 8641 in the 2023/24 period compared to 5685 in 2024/25.

At Ocean Spa in Napier, 2773 fewer people visited over the same period with a total of 24,714, while the same period last summer saw 27,487 visitors.

At the Napier Aquatic Centre, there were 338 fewer visitors with the total for the 2023/24 period standing at a figure of 17,435 compared with 17,097 in 2024/25.

A $2.4 million upgrade of facilities was undertaken last year, undertaken in the Cyclone Gabrielle aftermath.

The attraction, which includes several pools, waterslides, a lazy river and other activities, was formerly known as Fantasyland before being rebranded and reopened in 1998.

It has been managed, funded and governed by Hastings District Council since 2004.

Image: Splash Planet. Credit: Hastings District Council.