Hanmer Springs

Hanmer Springs
Te Whakatakanga o te ngārahu o te ahi a Tamatea (Māori)
Hot pools at Hanmer Springs in 2004
Interactive map of Hanmer Springs
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 2025)
 • Total
1,090
 • Density272/km2 (704/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.