Not only is the Riuwaka Resurgence a very near and dear place to my heart, it's a natural wonder. The entrance to the walk way is a gorgeous waharoa (gateway) depicting Te Ᾱtiawa o Te Waka-a-Maui on the right, Ngāti Rārua on the left. The figurehead at the top gazing into the distance is Hui Te Rangiora, the great explorer.
Walking down the path is like something out of a fairy-tale. It's no surprise as to why this place is considered wahi tapu (sacred place) by both the Te Atiawa and Ngati Rarua peoples.
Towering native trees draped in vines and moss dapple the light, and the bubbling of the river can be heard just out of sight. Bird song trills lightly above it all carrying on the fresh forest air.
A few minutes in, there's a small track on the left which leads out into a lovely clearing on the riverside. Fantails dip and dive from the large tree that hangs over the water. Artfully nabbing sand files mid air, avoiding the spray and splashes from the rapids. Tiny flowers bloom from the moss on the rocks, leaning reverently towards the sun.
Further down path is the Crystal Pool, which truly lives up to its name. Glittering blue waters swirl as the small waterfall cascades over the ridged rocks.
A lone tree stands high above it all, perched on the massive stone that looms over the pool. Smooth steps worn into its surface from many feet climbing to the top, to then leap into the icy water.
Then finally, the source. A deep karst spring of the most vibrant teal, getting darker and darker as you gaze into its depths. The water from the spring takes over a year to travel from rainfall on Takaka Hill, filtered through the layers of soil, marble and limestone to re-emerge here at the bottom. This also keeps it extremely cold, a bone chilling 5-8°C year round. You can feel it in the air as you come down the steps to the waters edge.
Te Puna Wai o Riuwaka (the Riuwaka Resurgence) is seen as a sacred, spiritual place where people would come to cleanse and heal their bodies and sustain their spirits. Truthfully, I believe it.
Spending time here over the years, sitting amongst the boulders and the trees, listening to the water flow; it seems as if time comes to a stand still. Often I'm mesmerized by the flora and fauna that surrounds me in this place, the song of the river, the hum of life, and can hardly bring myself to leave.
This place means so much to more people than just somewhere to go for a walk and a swim. In my many trips here, I can honestly say I’ve seen it all. Young families coming for picnics, “When we were little, we used to come here…”. A grandson sprinkling his grandfather's ashes into the Crystal Pool. Lovers daring one another to get into the icy water first. My friend’s baptising their baby. A girl deep in prayer at the waters edge.
It would seem that life itself seems to spiral from the source of the river. It has stood the test of time for thousands of years, holding these special moments for just as long. Hopefully with good care it will continue to flow, fresh and pure, for many centuries more.
