Splash Planet

Splash Planet

Previously known as Fantasyland [1]
Location	Grove Road, Hastings, New Zealand
Coordinates	39°38′39″S176°51′49″E / 39.644041°S 176.863649°E / -39.644041; 176.863649
Status	Operating
Opened	Opened as Fantasy Land in 1967, Splash Planet in 1998
Slogan	Hawke's Bay's Number One Family Attraction!
Operating season	November–March [2]
Area	6.5 ha (16 acres) [3]
Attractions
Total	12
Water rides	7
Website	www.splashplanet.co.nz

Splash Planet is an amusement park and water park located in the city of Hastings, New Zealand. The park was opened in its current form in 1998.

Fantasyland

Fantasyland first opened in Easter of 1967. ^[4] It contained several attractions, including a miniature railway, mini-golf, a steamboat ride, play structures, and a few flat rides. By the 1990s, the park was beginning to show its age, and the Hastings District Council proposed that it be redeveloped into a waterpark. At the time of its conception the council had decided that the park would be a money spinner and was certain that it would supplement the taxes that local residents paid. The park was also hoped to attract people from outside the region to visit the region and spend money not only at the park but also at local business within the city.

Construction

Construction of the new waterpark facilities was done by Alexander Construction, a local company who has worked on many other large attractions within Hawke's Bay. Work began in July 1998, and finished before the new year, taking only 4.5 months to complete. This was done at a cost of $4,700,000. ^[5]

Referendum

Before Splash Planet left the drawing board, the Hastings District Council put the decision on whether or not Splash Planet would be built to public referendum. The referendum outlined a number of policies in an attempt to gain the locals' confidence. These policies included the fact that Splash Planet would be self-sustaining and would not cost the taxpayers any money.

Financial issues

Despite being sold to ratepayers as a money-making venture, Splash Planet is projected to require a ratepayer subsidy of NZ$1.7 million for the 2024–25 season (budgeted at NZ$1.42 million). ^[6] As of the end of January 2025, visitor numbers were down by 15,000 compared to the previous season, and revenue was NZ$558,000 unfavourable to budget, partially offset by NZ$232,000 in cost savings. ^[7] Splash Planet closed five weeks earlier than scheduled in March 2025 due to poor weather and staffing shortages, further exacerbating the shortfall. ^[8]

Attractions

Splash Planet's "Sky Castle"

Wet attractions:

• Double Dipper - Inline tube slide
• Super Cruiser - Open body slide
• Sky Tunnel - Enclosed body slide
• Master Blaster - open/enclosed body slide
• Sky Castle Screamer - Pair of racing body slides
• Never Ending River - A lazy river
• Bumper boats
• Indoor heated pool

The Pirate Ship at Fantasyland in 1979 which was a victim of arson in 2015.

Dry attractions:

• Fantasyland Express - A miniature railway ride originally part of Fantasyland
• Formula Fun Karts - Go-karts
• Jungle Jeeps - Motorized jeep racing, slower than go-karts
• Flying Fox - Two 40 metre flying foxes
• Mini golf
• Tiny Town - Young children's play area
• Beach volleyball
• Pétanque

Former attractions

• Pirate Ship - a play structure that was burnt down by arsonists in 2015. The ship, built mainly by volunteers and an original attraction when the park was first established as Fantasyland in 1967, was ablaze when the first of three fire crews from Hastings and Napier arrived after the alarm was raised at 6:01 am. ^[9]

Battle of Hastings Paintball Event

In late 2013, a major paintball event known as the Battle of Hastings took place at Splash Planet. It drew players from around New Zealand to compete in massive paintball battles. The event was held again in October 2014.

References

1. Ramsay, Heather (7 April 2008). "School holiday hints to keep all the family happy". The New Zealand Herald . p. 2. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
2. "Splash Planet Opening Hours".
3. "All About Hawkes Bay - Splash Planet...fun... wet and wild". Hawke's Bay. 30 January 2008.
4. "Community Link May 28, 2005". Hastings District Council. 28 May 2005.
5. "Splash Planet".
6. "Splash Planet pulling the plug early to cover costs". NZ Herald. 25 May 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
7. "Splash Planet closing early with poor weather and low visitor numbers". Hastings District Council. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
8. "Splash Planet closes five weeks earlier than usual". RNZ. 19 February 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
9. "Pirate ship at Hastings' Splash Planet burns down". The Dominion Post. Fairfax. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2015.