Four Waiwera water slides given second life in Northland

Waiwera Thermal Resort in disrepair.

Some of Waiwera Thermal Resort's most famous water slides have been salvaged from its demolition site in Auckland's north.

Adrenalin Adventure Park has teased the reopening of the slides at their inflatable water park just north of Whangārei, posting a picture of disassembled pieces on its Facebook page.

Social media users were quick to identify the pieces, with Adrenalin Park Owner Cody Rouse confirming they've been able to save four of the "iconic slides."

"We've got Bob's Mistake, The Black Hole and two others from that same area that were actually in really good condition, so we won't have to do too much to them," he said.

Rouse said it's important to give a new generation the chance to enjoy the beloved slides.

"Everyone's sad in New Zealand that it's gone, we’ve all grown up knowing the hot pools and after every rugby season the coaches would always take us to Waiwera, it was such a sad sight to see them all overrun."

He said the nostalgia factor may be a drawcard for a "whole other market" coming to the park.

"It’s exciting to be able to step in and give them that second life, being able to show our kids and that next generation what they're about even in a different location."

He hopes to have the slides up and running by the end of this summer.

The Waiwera Thermal Resort fell into disrepair after a stalled refurbishment and the liquidation of a previous leaseholder, with demolition ongoing since August.

Rouse said unfortunately the largest slide, the Twister, was damaged beyond repair by vandals.

"It's sad because if people hadn't of gone in there and smashed them, they would have been able to be used, but it's not worth it now."

Waiwera Thermal Resort in disrepair.

He estimated that bought new, the salvaged materials would cost between $500,000 to $1 million.

"We didn't just take the slides, we took whole buildings, as much timber as we could, refrigerator panels, basically anything and everything that could be reused."

Rouse said his team worked closely with United Demolition throughout the months-long process, often working 17-20 hour days to move the larger pieces.

"It was a costly project pulling it all down, but for us to be able to go in there and for Urban Partners and United Demolition to allow us to take them and repurpose them, I think it's just awesome," he said.

Work beginning on Waiwera hydro slide site at Adrenalin Adventure Park.

Urban Partners, who own the land, confirmed in a statement that some of the "iconic slides have been picked up by Adrenalin Adventure Park."

"The site demolition is set to be completed this year and the team are doing everything they can to salvage and recycle as much as possible."

The Adrenalin Adventure Park is located on Lake Edwin in Northland and will reopen for their summer period from this weekend.

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