Rayssa Almeida, Reporter

Work has begun to demolish a former Auckland water park, ahead of a fresh marketing campaign.

Waiwera Thermal Resort on the North Shore has been closed for more than five years after refurbishment fell through and the owners went into liquidation. The demolition crew moved in on Monday.

Urban Partners now owns the land.

Chief executive Greig Staples said the 1.7 hectare resort had long been a place of fond memories and nostalgia for many New Zealanders.

"Waiwera holds a special place in the hearts and minds of so many Aucklanders and visitors, whether it was hanging with friends in the pools or hooning down the slides," Staples said.

The prospect of an upgrade back in 2018 initially brought excitement, but when the operators went into liquidation the resort was in an unviable state.

"Since then, it has been an ongoing struggle to secure the site against vandalism, which has degraded the property further.

"It is now at the point where the existing structures offer no value to a buyer, and it will be a positive for the wider community to remove what is left of the buildings."

The closed Waiwera water park has become more run down as the years have gone by. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro

Staples said the start of the demolition process was bittersweet: "As it represents the end of an era - but also the beginning of Waiwera's revitalisation".

In 2022, Urban Partners contracted Colliers to sell the property, but there had been no sale yet.

The real estate company hoped demolishing the structures might pull buyers into a cleared site.

Colliers capital markets director Blair Peterken said he expected plenty of interest in the land from both within New Zealand and overseas.

"The decision to present a cleared site paves the way for an exciting spring marketing campaign that will appeal to a wider range of buyers.

"It is recognised as a regional tourist attraction by the Auckland Unitary Plan and has zoning allowing for business, residential developments, health and wellness, tourism, hospitality and visitor accommodation."

Waiwera was one of the most beautiful areas in New Zealand, Peterken said.

"We are expecting plenty of local and international interest in this remarkable destination."

"Iconic attraction" - community board

Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro

Waiwera was the birthplace of New Zealand's first spa, historically celebrated for the therapeutic properties of its waters.

The resort's well-documented demise was caused by the sudden departure of its investor, Russian businessman and reported billionaire Mikhail Khimich in 2018, who is reported to have since died in Russia of Covid-19.

Auckland deputy mayor Desley Simpson said it was a shame to see the water park go.

"I think it's sad that such an iconic water park that brought so much fun to generations of Aucklanders and tourists is being demolished."

She said the council did not know of any new resource consents.

"But the one lodged in 2015 does stand until 2026."

Hibiscus and Bays Local Board deputy chairwoman Julia Parfitt said local businesses took a hit when the park was shut down.

"You've got a café just opposite, a dairy and a number of touristic businesses which I'm sure (have) been struggling without the pools nearby," Parfitt said.

"Right now, they are heavily reliant on the locals to support them."

Residents would like to see the space turned into something that would be used by the community, she said.

"We don't want another fancy building that would cut out the public. Waiwera desperately needs something like the pools.

"Residents would like to see something that will be open for public usage, not yet another high-rise development."

The board wanted to see more community involvement in the future of the land.

"During the last few years it's looked increasingly forlorn. I'm so sad there are no redevelopment plans for the facility yet.

"This a massive call for local investors to think about the economy boost the park would bring back to the region."

The resort had a special place in the hearts of people in the area, Parfitt said.

"People are full of sweet memories of Waiwera. It has been such a key amenity in the area."

This story was first published by RNZ