Pukeroa has secured a major development partner, the Templeton Group, to deliver its long-planned flagship hotel on the Rotorua lakefront. The joint venture marks a successful conclusion to Pukeroa’s search for a partner for the premium tourism and wellness precinct, which is set to build a world-class hotel designed to complement the renowned luxury offering of the neighboring Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa.
“A flagship hotel has always been central to our plans for this area,” says Pukeroa Chair David Tapsell. “With Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa right next door, the opportunity to complement its renowned luxury wellness offering with stunning accommodation is a natural next step,” says Tapsell.
“Rotorua has been calling out for high-quality accommodation for many years, particularly as the city continues to attract more premium visitors seeking a unique cultural and wellness experience. This development is an opportunity to meet that demand with a hotel that is distinctly Rotorua, reflecting the lakeside location, our Ngāti Whakaue cultural narrative, and the broader vision for this precinct,” he says.
Pukeroa Chair David Tapsell & Templeton Group Chair Nigel McKenna sign the MoU
The Templeton Group is one of New Zealand’s largest privately held property developers and master planners, headquartered in Auckland. Founded in 2014 and led by Chairman Nigel McKenna, the company has an estimated $2B to $10B in development pipelines, managing projects across the greater Auckland region and beyond.
“Templeton Group is thrilled to be partnering with Pukeroa on what we believe will become one of New Zealand’s most iconic hotel developments,” says Templeton Group Founder and Chair Nigel McKenna.
“Rotorua’s lakefront is a truly world-class setting, and paired with the cultural richness of Ngāti Whakaue and the extraordinary offering at Wai Ariki next door, the opportunity to create something genuinely special here is unlike anything else in the country,” says McKenna.
“They want immersive, meaningful experiences rooted in place and culture. This development has the potential to deliver exactly that, and we are fully committed to working alongside Pukeroa to bring that vision to life. We can’t wait to get started,” he says.
Aukaha News brought you the story a year ago that Pukeroa were looking for a partner to develop their 11,000 square-metre property. Pukeroa Chair David Tapsell, confirmed at the time that the proposed Noho Lakeside Hotel is now ready to move forward. “Tourism is definitely lifting in Rotorua and we’re seeing it nationally and all of the indicators. Now is the time to go to market”. He noted that the decision comes after being cautious due to the state of the economy, but added that the adjacent Wai Ariki has been open for a few years, and the market timing is now right.
Beyond tourism: A hub of hospitality
The proposed Noho Lakeside Hotel is situated near the Wai Ariki thermal pools on the lands of Ngāti Whakaue ancestors. Pukeroa trustee Rawiri Waru at the time emphasised that the area has historically been a place of manaakitanga and continues to embody that wairua.
The indicative plans (last year) outlined a nearly 11,000 square-metre property featuring:
• 197 guest rooms.
• Ground-floor hospitality.
• Conference and function rooms.
• A gym, pool, and a rooftop bar.
While there are concerns over the “amount of money” required to establish the project, Rawiri Waru affirmed that regardless of the potential cost, the hotel is seen as essential for the “progress of Ngāti Whakaue and the wider Rotorua community and that he was confident the right partner would come along.
