Southland district councillors will today deliberate on submissions regarding Floating Sauna Ltd’s proposal to set up at Te Anau’s Ivon Wilson Park.
The company hopes to establish two saunas and one changing room atop a 79sqm floating pontoon which would attach to an existing jetty on Lake Henry.
Of the 210 submissions received, 170 objected, 37 supported and three posed questions to the council, the report said.
Te Anau resident Diana Zadravec was an objector, saying in a message to media residents were urging councillors to consider the strength of opposition and long-term implications for the park.
‘‘Once this space is given over to a commercial operation, it changes how it can be used for decades. That’s not something that should be taken lightly,’’ Ms Zadravec said.
Support from submissions included increased tourist activity and economic opportunities, the report showed.
It also pointed out the structure only occupied a ‘‘very small’’ footprint in the context of the whole park, and created recreational opportunity.
Floating Sauna Ltd has already made some headway since approaching the council in October 2024.
In February 2025, the Fiordland Community Board recommended a licence to occupy be granted. A resource consent was also issued earlier this year.
A commissioner for the resource consent determination found the potential environmental effects were no more than minor, the activity ‘‘likely to have an overall positive environmental effect’’, the council report said.
Councillors will today be presented with a range of options, which include approving a licence to occupy, declining a licence to occupy, leaving the report on the table, or deferring a decision.
If successful, a proposed annual licence fee of $2750 has been provided by a registered valuer.
Company information on Floating Sauna Ltd shows its directors have connections to Mosgiel and Tasmania.
• LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
