Ngai Tahu is increasing its stake in South Island tourism developments and is set to open a multimillion-dollar hot pools complex on the West Coast.
The Glacier Hot Pools, the latest Franz Josef tourist development, will be the first commercial hot pools complex on the West Coast.
The pools will join other new South Westland attractions, such as the Hukawai Glacier Centre, catering for "wet-weather" tourists and offering an alternative to the coast's glacier drawcards.
Ngai Tahu Tourism Holdings Ltd and business partners Joseph Developments Ltd began work on the three-pool complex last December.
Glacier Hot Pools marketing manager Kerry Walker said the complex was scheduled for completion this spring.
Surrounded by bush and fed by glacier water, the pools would complement other tourism activities in the area, Mr Walker said.
Ngai Tahu Tourism Holdings Ltd owns several Queenstown-based attractions, including Shotover Jet Experience and Dart River Jet Safaris.
