Image: Sebastian We | Creative Commons
Te Waikoropupū (Pupu) Springs
Te Waikoropupū Springs Walk

Located in Tākaka area and Te Waikoropupū Springs in the Nelson/Tasman region

View New Zealand's largest freshwater springs and the largest cold water springs in the southern hemisphere, with some of the clearest water ever measured.

There are unfenced boardwalks and viewing platforms over the springs. Supervise children carefully.   

This is a short fully accessible loop track suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. It goes through forest and streams to a platform that sits partly over the water of Te Waikoropupū Springs.

Discharging 14,000 litres of water per second, the springs are New Zealand's largest freshwater springs and the largest cold water springs in the southern hemisphere. They contain some of the clearest water ever measured.

Do not touch the water. This protects the pristine water quality and respects the deep cultural and spiritual importance of these springs. 

There are some sections of the boardwalk and viewing platforms over the springs that are not fenced. Keep children closely supervised, as the water is swift and very cold. 

Te Waikoropupū Springs are about 7 km from Tākaka. Follow State Highway 60 north from Tākaka on the road to Collingwood, turning left just beyond Tākaka River. Follow Pupu Valley and Te Waikoropupū Springs roads to the car park.

Do not touch the water

The waters of Te Waikoropupū Springs, including Fish Creek and Springs River are closed to all forms of contact. 

No fishing, swimming, diving, wading, boating, filling of drinking water containers, or any other activity where parts of the body or equipment contact the water.

This protects the pristine water quality, which is some of the clearest water ever measured. It also respects the deep cultural and spiritual significance of these springs. 

Be careful of swift waterways

The cold, swift waterways of the springs reserve are dangerous – keep children under close supervision near the water. There are unfenced boardwalks and viewing platforms. 

No dogs allowed

Interpretation panels at the Whare Matauranga Marae at the entrance to the walk tell the story of the cultural and conservation values of the Springs.

To Māori the area of Te Waikoropupū is a taonga or treasure and a wāhi tapu, a place held in high cultural and spiritual regard, both locally and nationally.

The legends of Te Waikoropupū are told in the stories of Huriawa, its taniwha (guardian spirit).

In Māori tradition the springs are waiora, the purest form of water and provide water for healing. In the past, the springs were a place of ceremonial blessings at times of birth and death and the leaving and returning of travellers.