Rotorua’s Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa appoints new General Manager

Rotorua’s Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa has announced the appointment of Debbie Guptill-Robertson as its new General Manager, effective 1st December 2023.

Guptill-Robertson brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role, having held the general managers position at Velocity Valley and various key management positions within tourism over the years.  With her extensive background in tourism, Guptill-Robertson is poised to lead Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa to new heights of excellence.

Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa is the new luxury spa offering within Rotorua. Rotorua has long been celebrated for its rejuvenating geothermal healing waters and the legacy of storytelling through the guiding legacy of local Māori culture. It is inspired and owned by local iwi, Ngāti Whakaue, and features two main spa areas, the Wai Whakaora (Restorative Journey) and the exclusive Āhuru Mōwai (The Sanctuary). Both are places of peace and tranquillity, founded on te ao Māori values, traditions and culture and are unique not only in Aotearoa, New Zealand, but also around the world.

David Tapsell, Deputy Chair of the project’s developer Pukeroa Lakefront Holdings Limited shared "we are delighted to welcome Debbie Guptill-Robertson as our new General Manager. Her knowledge and passion of the tourism industry coupled with her dedication to providing a premium guest experience make her the perfect fit to lead our team and ensure that Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa remains a top destination for relaxation and rejuvenation."

Guptill-Robertson is eager to join the Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa team and looks forward to embracing the unique geothermal wonders of Rotorua while enhancing the properties reputation as a premier spa and wellness destination.

Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa is the cover story in the latest issue of Australasian Leisure Management magazine. Click here to subscribe and view the article.