Hanmer Springs

Hanmer Springs
Hanmer Springs from Mount Isobel
Coordinates: 42°31′S 172°49′E / 42.517°S 172.817°E / -42.517; 172.817
CountryNew Zealand
RegionCanterbury
DistrictHurunui
Community boardHanmer Springs Community Board
WardWest Ward
Electorates
Government
  Territorial AuthorityHurunui District Council
  Regional councilEnvironment Canterbury
  Mayor of HurunuiMarie Black
  Kaikoura MPStuart Smith
  Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
  Total
4.01 km2 (1.55 sq mi)
Elevation
(NZHR, Airport)
338 m (1,109 ft)
Population
 (June 2024)
  Total
1,180
  Density290/km2 (760/sq mi)
Postcode
7334

Hanmer Springs is a small town in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand, known for its hot pools. The Māori name for Hanmer Springs is Te Whakatakanga o te Ngārahu o te ahi a Tamatea, which means "where the ashes of Tamatea's fire lay", referring to Tamatea, the captain of the canoe Tākitimu.

Hanmer Springs is located 130 km (81 mi) north-west of Christchurch and 65 km (40 mi) south-west of Kaikōura (135 km (84 mi) by road), in the Hurunui District. The town lies on a minor road 9 km (5.6 mi) north of State Highway 7, the northern route between Christchurch and the West Coast via Lewis Pass. The township lies at the base of Conical Hill. Mount Isobel (1,324 m (4,344 ft)) looks over Hanmer Springs. Jacks Pass and Jollies Pass provide access to the Molesworth and Rainbow roads.