worynjay Jane Flowers is the author of two fiction novels and a number of marketing ebooks.Her books and articles are sometimes produced under the pen-name of Woryn jay. She is an accredited journalist with the Australian news Agency and holds a Diploma in Media Studies from the Australian College of Journalism. Jane works from home as a freelancer, author and Webmaster. She was born and raised in Africa, and now lives in New Zealand View all articles | Contact author

New Zealand’s’ Golden Bay in the North West of the South Island is picture postcard perfect. There is so much to see and do in this wonderful paradise that the traveller is hardly able to take it all in.

Sea kayaking, sailing, horse treks, cliff walks or mountain climbing are all affordable. It seems there is something for everyone with craft shops, art studios, café’s, skydiving and marine adventures. It is the kind of place where travellers want to do it all and then do it all again

New Zealand has more than its fair share of appealing places. In our rush to experience it all, we tend to overlook the essence of our destination. Too often, in our urgent quest to see the mountains, to walk the beaches and taste the local dishes, we fail to see what it is that draws us the beauty we seek.

 Somehow, the something that sets us apart from other animals becomes elusive. We forget what it is to be able to appreciate beauty that is gentle to the eye and gladdening to the heart. Furthermore, we miss the spiritual experience we set out to find in the first place.

 There is one particular site every visitor should try to see, if only to slow down a little, take a breather and imbibe something of the spirit of New Zealand

Waikoropupu Springs, affectionately known as Pupu Springs, is a place to reflect and refresh our souls. These pools have stunning clarity of 62 metres. Water plants in greens and reds wave in luminous marbled sands. Set in native forest near Takaka Mountain, just a short drive from the famous Able Tasman Reserve, these springs deserve more than just a fleeting visit.

The first impression of Waikoropupu Springs is one of urgency. Rushing waters, pretty colours and dancing lights draw the visitor to the waters edge. Group after group of travellers arrive at the pools. They fiddle with their cameras for a few moments, snap some pictures and then, just like a day out at Santa’s parade, they become bored.

The main float has passed by. The band has played and departed. The show is over. They leave with a picture in the mind of aquamarine colours dancing in the waterweeds, a few clips of film to remember it by and the satisfaction of knowing it was a really pretty spot.

But ‘Pupu Springs is more than that. It is a sacred place. The Maori call it a taonga, or precious thing. It is guarded by the legendary taniwha, Huriawa, who has presided over centuries of ceremonies of cleansing, of life and death rituals and of celebration to life itself.

The springs have become a natural cathedral. Pupu Springs is a sanctuary of the spirit. A place of ancient prayers amidst the native forest and of crystal clear waters that doused the fires of man’s ancient fear of death.

There are no walls to this cathedral, no bricks and mortar nor resident bishop. Conceivably that is why we fail so very often, to appreciate the reverence of such natural places.

Perhaps that is why the Department of Conservation, who manage the area for the local Iwi, or Maori tribe, have to place big signs up asking the public not to swim in the water or to pollute the environment.

 In plain language – one of the most difficult tasks they face is trying to get visitors to the springs to respect this “church”. This is not only a sad indictment on what we have become in the modern world, but is a personal loss to each and every one of us.

A young Maori lad stood at the viewing platform. I was about to follow another tour party as they departed to their next whistle stop viewpoint, when he turned to me. “They see with their eyes and not with their hearts,” he said sadly.