By Ally Mullord
A thermal resort’s decision to stop visitors bringing their own food and drink has sparked outrage online and threats to boycott the venue.
Waiwera Thermal Resort announced on their website that as of February 1, food and drink can no longer be taken onto the premises.
An exception will be made for baby food and guests with special dietary needs, but all other food will now have to be purchased from the resort’s onsite cafés - prompting online speculation that the change is financially motivated.
Previous visitors to the resort have left a slew of negative comments on Waiwera’s Facebook page, with many locals calling the resort “greedy” and saying they won’t be back.
Commenter Leanne Martell said after “numerous [visits] over the years” she would no longer be taking her family of five to the hot pools.
“The cost of entry to the pools is high enough that we as a family need to spend the entire day to 'get our money's worth' from your facility,” she wrote.
“This decision in incredibly alienating and a real added frustration to families who are already having a tough time… it is simply a way of forcing people to purchase at inflated prices.”
The resort says the move is to match industry standards, but local resident Nikki Davidson says that doesn’t add up.
“SplashPlanet in Hastings still offer the choice to bring your own so I'm not sure what the 'industry standard' is,” she says.
Hanmer Springs Thermal Spa, north of Christchurch, states on their website that guests are able to bring their own food.
Waiwera Thermal Resort could not be reached for comment.
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