Operator shut out of Auckland's Waiwera Thermal Resort

Auckland's Waiwera Thermal Resort faces an uncertain future following the revelation that its owners have cancelled the lease of the off-shore business that was operating the facility.

The pools, north of Auckland, have been closed for renovations since February and were due to open for the summer.

However, the landowner, Waiwera Properties Limited, has advised that with the resort operator, Waiwera Thermal Resort Limited, failing to make rent payments they had been shut out - with its lease terminated and locks changed.

Waiwera Properties Director, Evan Vertue, said there had been no activity at the resort since last month and the resort operator had been late on about 10 rent payments over two years and had been consistently warned.

Advising that shutting out the tenant was a last resort, Vertue stated "Waiwera Thermal Resort has been enjoyed by many families over the years, it is a popular destination for locals and visitors to our country.”

On Thursday morning, the lease of the resort and the water bottling plant next door were cancelled.

Reports suggest that contractors working on the refurbishment are also out of pocket.

Waiwera Thermal Resort Limited’s owners are listed as American Leon Fingerhut and Russian Mikhail Kimich.