Te Waihou

Te Waihou means 'new water' and the journey the new water takes begins high in the Mamaku Ranges, a range of rugged hills in the North Island of New Zealand. Located to the west of Lake Rotorua and north of Lake Taupo, they lie to the immediate south of the imposing Kaimai Ranges which stand tall and watch over the east and western sides.

From the ancient eruptions that created Lake Rotorua, layered aquifers were created within fractured rock and volcanic sand. Rainfall recharge from the Mamaku Ranges moves rapidly through the surface sandy soils, then deep into the aquifers that discharge into our source, the Blue Spring some 80 to 100 years later and eventually into the Waihou River on the edge of the plateau.

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Te Waihou

The colour and visual clarity is testament to the high optical purity of the water. And this is no surprise considering the aquifer from which the Blue Spring bubbles, is up to 250 metres deep. The aquifer that the Blue Spring originates from penetrates deep under the bush clad Mamaku Plateau.

The Plateau gathers rain that fell over 100 years ago and makes its way underground between granite rock formations.

The water that flows from the Blue Spring just to the east of the township of Putaruru in the North Island of New Zealand, predates European settlement. Water gushes out of the spring into the Waihou River at a rate of 42 cubic metres per minute (9,240 gallons per minute) and is a constant 11 degrees Celsius all year round. Because of its contact with geological formations, unique mineral composition is imparted into the Blue Spring water and many of these compositions are reputed to have health giving properties.

Human activity throughout the ranges and the river from early Maori to the present township has left a vast historical legacy. The Waihou River gave all who travelled it easy access to much of the greater Waikato, as well as the inner forested areas, where bird life provided food, and where the native owl resided which was believed to offer protection for the area. Situated throughout the area are old Maori trails and sites, early coach routes and gold mining relics. A distinct reminder of the past and how important water has been to the people of the land.

Deep below New Zealand’s surface is a Blue Spring that is revered for its properties of exceptional clarity and exquisite blue hues. The entire area is protected and cared for, and the Blue Spring is recognised as one of the purest water sources in the world.