Riuwaka Resurgence — Attraction in South Island

Riuwaka....a very sacred tapu place for Maori, Mana Whenua (local tangata whenua) Ngati Kuia, Ngati Koata, to name a few. This awa (river) is special. This awa is a female awa. How do you know this, you may ask? Well, as you will find out yourself when visiting. The source of this awa comes straight from Papatuānuku (earth mother), whereas a male awa originates from a Maunga...where Ranginui (sky father) tears fall from the sky to te tihi o te maunga. Maori used these sacred waters for ceremonial purposes. From blessing of taonga, newborn babies, to birthing. Do bring a drink bottle or container to fill as the water literally feeds your wairua. If you know the sacredness to these waters, then you will cringe seeing those in bikinis and surf board shorts parading around treating the sacred waters like it's some kind of Instagram hot spot. It is not. It also is not a drinking spot/bbq spot for blissfully ignorant people who then go and leave their rubbish behind. I hope my review can educate those who may not be aware of the sacred significance so that they can treat the area with a bit...

A beautiful tourist attraction and very popular. A nice short 10 minute return walk for me. To get to the actual resurgence there are some steeper stairs so those less able should definitely plan longer, however you can still experience the beauty of the river without going to the resurgence. The only thing that let my visit down was tourists swimming in the resurgence. Although not clearly sign posted it does say that the resurgence is a sacred place for the local iwi, which for their culture would implicate not for swimming, so I suggest that DOC update the signs to inform visitors that this specific spot is not for swimming as it really let...

The Ruiwaka resurgence (or source of the Riwaka river) is a 10 minute winding drive from the turn off at the start of the Takaka hill on the Motueaka side.

There is an easy 5 minute walk from the car park through native Bush, this path is wheelchair accessible as far as the Crystal Pool.

The source of the river is a sacred and beautiful place, where water comes straight out of the ground from the Takaka cave system.

If you are brave you can swim in the beautiful Crystal pool, it's pretty cold however at around 9° yaer round.

There are basic toilets and picnic tables. The nearest town is Motueaka, so come prepared. Oh and...