Te Waikoropupū Springs

The Te Waikoropupu Springs ( Pupu Springs ) are located in the valley of the Takaka River, a source pot on the coast of Golden Bay in the Tasman region of the South Island of New Zealand, about 6 km west of Takaka. The sources are known for its crystal clear water and the high water discharge and are religiously significant for Māori.

Visibility

The horizontal visibility of the water in the source pot was measured by the National Institute for Water and Atmosphere ( NIWA ) with an average of 63 meters. Until 2011, this was her greatest visibility in inland waters, surpassed only by the glacial ice -covered lakes in Antarctica.

2011 lost to the sea his record status, as in Blue Lake, also in the region Tasman, from NIWA significantly higher visibilities were measured. ( Has distilled water for laboratory use a visibility of about 80 m ) Measurements certain visibility of 70 to 80 meters.

Water discharge

The source is known for their high water discharge from its eight main source vents. 14,000 liters of water are ejected per second. A television report noted in 1974 that this was sufficient to supply a city the size of Boston. The bottom is covered with white sand, which is expelled from lesser vents. These vents are known as "dancing sands " ( "dancing sands ").

Importance in the Māori

The sources are regististriert the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as Wahi Tapu Māori.

The source is in the legend of the place of residence of the female Taniwha Huriawa, one of the most important three Taniwha of Aotearoa. She travels deep below the land and water and cleans blocked waterways. She is brave and wise and it is believed that it rests in the waters of Waikoropupu Springs, when she is not traveling.

According to tradition, the Māori, the water is a taonga ( treasure ) and Wahi Tapu ( sacred place ) for the natives of the region and the whole country. The water is considered " Waiora ", the purest form of water, and spiritual and physical source of life. Therefore, the water for healing purposes and ceremonies was used on the occasion of birth and death and parting and return travelers.

So far, very few divers were given permission to dive the source lake.