Te Waikoropupū Springs

Tucked away near Takaka, Te Waikoropupū Springs is a real gem—known not just around Aotearoa but internationally for its jaw-droppingly clear water and stunning blue-green hues. On a good day, the visibility is about 76 metres, which is about as close as you can get to pure water without it being straight from a lab. It’s right up there with Blue Lake (Rotomairewhenua) in Nelson Lakes—another beauty that’s earned the title of the clearest lake in the world.

But this place is more than just pretty—it’s deeply sacred. To local Māori, Te Waikoropupū is a taonga, a treasured place with powerful spiritual significance. It’s considered wāhi tapu, meaning it’s a sacred site that’s treated with the utmost respect. According to legend, the springs are home to Huriawa, a guardian taniwha who dives between land and sea, resting beneath the surface and watching over the waters.

It’s a place to slow down, take it all in, and move with care—both for the land and the stories that live here.