Kimi Ora Health Spa Resort
Kaiteriteri, New Zealand
by Julie Register

Kimi Ora means 'seek health' in Maori and that is the foundation upon which Kimi Ora Holiday & Health Resort was built. This casual resort is located on a 12 hectare hillside above Kaiteriteri beach and 15 minutes from Abel Tasman National Park on the north end of New Zealand's South Island.

Kimi Ora's Health Spa is based on European style therapies.  Dr. Hans Brutscher and Fiona Thornton have managed the spa since September, 2000. Dr. Brutscher is a German-trained medical doctor (GP) and physiotherapist who has worked in Germany  and New Zealand as a Spa Doctor specializing in natural spa treatments. He brings with him some unusual treatments and equipment. 

Links • Purchase Kneipp Shower Gel

The Hydro-electrical [or Stanger] Bath has plate electrodes built in the side that allows a low voltage electric current to flow from one electrode, through the water and then your body, to the other electrode. Dr. Brutscher says it is good for increasing blood and lymphatic flow, very beneficial for those suffering from high blood pressure and exhaustion and helps in reducing high blood sugar levels. The Vibration Swing Extension Bench was imported  from Germany. It has a central plate giving a horizontal & vertical vibration massage to your back and a self tilting mechanism that creates a spinal extension. Other treatments include hot moor/mud packs, fango, Kneipp hydrotherapy, underwater massage, oxygen therapy, body wraps, scrubs and massages. 

The spa facility is located in two buildings. The first houses a dry treatments area, the hydrotherapy bath, sauna, and steam room.

Spa Building Housing Hydrotherapy Bath	Dry Treatment Area
Hydroelectrical Bath	Sauna

The newly built heated indoor pool connects to the solar heated outdoor pool by a swim channel and is equipped with a counter stream swim unit and massage jets. 

The second spa building is located behind the pool and contains a small gym, whirlpool bath, the spa office and additional treatment rooms.

Dr. Hans Brutscher and Fiona Thornton

Whirlpool Bath

Tai Chi & Yoga classes are held regularly on-site. Other activities available on the Kimi Ora property include a climbing wall, hiking trails, tennis, pool table, lounge and library. Many other activities are nearby such as horseback riding, trout fishing, caving, snow skiing in Winter, sea kayaking, paragliding, water skiing, scuba diving, balloon rides and tandem sky diving.

Kimi Ora accommodations are in contemporary chalets that vary from studio rooms to luxury suites. All have a shower, toilet, phone, TV, fridge, kitchenette, blanket, duvet, linen, towels, heater and deck chairs. Luxury suites have a spa bath, video, and stereo as well. There is a two night minimum stay. Prices include accommodation, breakfast and dinner, one health treatment per room per day, use of all facilities, activities and daily service. Prices ranged from $180NZ - $295NZ at the time of my visit in March 2001. With the favorable exchange rate, that would be ~$76US - $124US: an excellent value.

The restaurant's cuisine is predominantly organic vegetarian. Vegetables are grown in on-site organic gardens. Organic beers and wines produced locally are available.

Kia Ora!
(Maori greeting meaning Be Well, Be Healthy)

all photos by Julie Register
except first and those marked * then by Kimi Ora

*
Kimi Ora Holiday & Health Resort
Phone: 03-527-8027
Fax: 03-527-8134
Email: info@kimiora.co.nz
Address: c/- Post Office, Kaiteriteri
Nelson, New Zealand 

View from Restaurant Deck

Kaiteriteri Beach

Kaiteriteri, Nelson, New Zeland
Flag and Map courtesy of
CIA World FactBook