Pupu Springs

Te Waikoropupu Springs


Useful Information

Pupu Springs, main spring. The upwelling water is easy to see.
Location: Golden Bay, South Island, New Zealand.
Near Takaka, in the Waikoropupu Valley. From Nelson West on the Coastal Highway, across Motueka, over Takaka Hill to Takaka.
(-40.847874, 172.769208)
Open: no restrictions.
[2022]
Fee: free.
[2022]
Classification: KarstKarst Spring
Light: n/a
Dimension: T=11.7 °C. Y=1,200,000 m³/d.
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography: J. D. Stark, C.W. Pugsley (1987): Ecological implications of abstraction from Pupu Springs. Prepared for Bubbling Springs Salmon Farm Ltd/Dept of Lands & Survey. 39pp plus appendices.
R. J. Davies-Colley, D. G. Smith (1995): Optically pure waters in Waikoropupu ('Pupu') Springs, Nelson, New Zealand, New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 1995: Vol. 29: 251-256.
P. W. Williams (1992): Karst hydrology, In: Mosley M.P. ed. Waters of New Zealand. New Zealand Hydrological Society, Wellington, New Zealand, pp. 187-206.
Address: Te Waikoropupū Springs, Pupu Springs Road, 7183 Takaka, Tel: +6435482304. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1996 average black-body visibility determined to be 63 m.
2011 the new record holder for average black-body visibility is Blue Lake, also in Tasman District.

Description

visitors at Pupu Springs.
upwelling water.

Pupu Springs, or actually Te Waikoropupū Springs, are among the largest freshwater springs of the world! In 1989, they were ranked 24th in the world among Karst springs. They are also famous for the visual clarity of the water. In a scientific examination in 1996 the average black-body visibility was determined to be 63 m. This is the second-highest yet reported for any fresh water, and close to the theoretical maximum for optically pure water. The extreme optical purity, which is uncommon for karst water, is interpreted as a result of the long residence time between aquifer recharge and re-emergence in the springs. According to Williams (1992) the water stays underground roughly three to eight years.

The water of the springs is full of fish, like the welcome swallows (Hirundo tahitica neoxena), brown truit and some salmon that escaped from nearby farms.

The largest basin of the spring has more than 40 m across, but there are a number of smaller springs. The floor of the basins is covered with white sand, which is thrown up by the force of the spring water. This dancing sands make it easy to determine where the vents are located. The springs have an enormous energy, especially the narrower vents. This is a result of the enormous amount of water, which is about 14,000 l/s or 1,200,000 m³/d. This would be enough to supply a big city.

The old question, where all this water does come from, was answered in the 20th century by dyeing experiments. The water comes from the Takaka river and his tributaries, which flow over karstified marble to the south of Pupu springs. The water enters swallow holes and flows through a huge cave system to this resurgence. Sometimes during summer the Takaka river is swallowed completely, some 15 km up the valley near Lindsay's Bridge.

But Pupu springs is only one of several resurgences of this underground stream. The cave system continues under the sea and there are three offshore springs. The karstified marble is enclosed between two water-resistant rock layers, and so the water is transported far into the Golden Bay. The sweet water of the submarine springs is lighter than salt water, so it flows forcefully to the surface. But the heavier salt water also enters the cave system and mixes with the sweet water in the cave. It even reaches Pupu Springs, which has a content of 0.5 % seawater.

Pupu Springs is located in a beautiful bush area with very interesting walks. Several large signs explain fauna, flora, history and geology of the springs and the area.

According to legend Waikoropupu is the home of Huriawa, one of the three main taniwha of Aotearoa. She is a diver of land and sea, travelling deep beneath the earth to clear blocked waterways. She is brave and wise and believed to still rest in the waters of Waikoropupu, when she is not away attending to business. In Māori mythology, taniwha are large supernatural beings that live in deep pools in rivers, dark caves, or in the sea.