Te Puna Wai Ora (The Spring of Life) (Wellington) EarthCache
Te Puna Wai Ora (The Spring of Life) (Wellington)
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A Earthcache at The Spring of Life, in Petone, Wellington.
Petone pure, artesian water has always been a source of pride to residents and the wider community who have actively protected this natural treasure.
In 1839 the New Zealand Company arrived in Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington Harbour) to purchase land for settlers who were greeted by the local Te Atiawa people. Pito-one (Petone) was the scene of the New Zealand Company s first attempt at colonisation in 1840.
The residents of the area initially sourced water from the Hutt River but soon became aware of the pure artesian water that lay beneath them. Since then the pure artesian (underground pressurised) water situated beneath the Hutt Valley has provided a supply of water to the inhabitants of the region.
The artesian water originates from the waters of the Hutt River which enter the secure artesian aquifer (layers of sand gravels and boulders confined by impermeable layers of silt and clay) at Taita Gorge in the north of the valley.
The water is naturally filtered through the ** gravels and sands of the Hutt Valley over several years before reaching the Petone Foreshore where it leaks into the sea floor of Wellington Harbour extending as far south as the harbour mouth.
Today, treated artesian water is supplied to residents of the region. However, pure untreated artesian water can now be enjoyed from taps at the new Petone icon, Te Puna Wai Ora (Spring of Life) in Buick Street Petone.
The pure artesian water is free from micro-organisms and organic substances and is safe to drink in its natural form because it has been naturally filtered over several years in its journey within the aquifer. The pure artesian water is highly valued throughout the region and consumers travel long distances to collect the water for drinking purposes.
A special thanks to blondie-n-baldie on this one - thanks.
Near GZ you will find a info board. Use this to help you answer the following questions.
To log this EarthCache, you must do the following and email us the results. You can go ahead and log your find, (ie. you don't need to wait for permission) but if we don’t think you have honestly completed the required tasks we will delete your log (after emailing you first of course):
Please note: The photo is most important to prove your visit
1)Find the Info board at GZ the name of the person who designed the sculpture at GZ?
2)What sort of gravels is the water filtered through?
3)Take a photo of yourself with gps at the springs, post it with your log.
Please email me this info, please DO NOT post it with your log. Just post your photo.
Additional Hints
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