Test your speed again

Now, test your speed again using the techniques described in this chapter. Scan through for the key words. Use your finger to keep your eyes moving, and read to understand not memorise. Read the article following for one minute.

COOL, CLEAR WATER by Angie Belcher

Long before New Zealand was inhabited by mankind, freshwater 1 springs were sending torrents of pure water bubbling to freedom.

The Maori, who eventually settled in the mantles of wilderness surrounding these crystal outlets, created folklore about the 5 springs, filling the bush with enchanted creatures and unseen presences. From rivers and springs rose one of Maoridom’s fiercer spirits, the taniwha. According to traditional descriptions, taniwha resembled huge lizards of which the Maori had a superstitious fear. Taniwha were said to dwell in 10 caves and pools, preying upon lone travellers in an attempt to quench an insatiable desire for human flesh.

New Zealand’s freshwater springs—and their legends—make an irresistible combination.

TePunaHangaraa or Hamurana Springs, are situated on the 15 northern edge of Lake Rotorua, 13.5km from Rotorua city. They comprise more than 15 springs. The largest vent, despite being only spa-pool size, emits nearly five million litres of water an hour.

At midday, eerie shafts of sunlight filter through the springs’ woven 20 ceiling of ponga to illuminate the main outlet, reputedly the home of the taniwha.

She was known as Hinerua and, unlike other Rotorua Taniwha who feared for their voracity, was both gentle and female and regarded a pet by the nearby chieftainess. Hinerua would leave 25 her cold spring and visit her mistress tip-toeing around the kumara plantations and peering though gaps in the village palisades. When the chieftainess died, Hinerua was never seen again. The small blind fish which occasionally rise up with the spring waters are still referred to as koaro, the children of Hinerua. Hamurana 30 Springs were of great spiritual importance, a special place, of the NgatiRangiwewehi people. The early Maori occupants built pa sites beside the springs, cultivated food and collected eel and crayfish. By1882,the springs were becoming a tourist attraction, providing a source of income for the NgatiRangiwewehi who had been 35 awarded the springs as part of the Mangarewa-Kaharoa block by the Native Land Court.

In 1886, the government had bought a one-third share in the block reserving a large portion for scenic purposes. Boundary adjustments and control of the land continued to change over 40 the next 70 years. Exotic vegetation was introduced, a stand of redwoods planted and the area surrounding the springs and river were designated a wildlife refuge. Unfortunately, long-term plans for the development of the area floated away when the owners went bankrupt. A succession of new owners failed to make any progress. 45 A caretaker is now responsible of the Hamurana Wildlife Refuge, but its future hangs in limbo.

Six kilometres from Hamurana are Taniwha Springs, source of the Awahou River. The Maori named the eerie pool Te Waro-uri (Dark Chasm), home of one of Rotorua’s more notorious taniwha, 50 Pekehaua, the man-eater. Many people travelling between Rotorua and Taupo mysteriously vanished and suspicion fell on this fierce taniwha. A plan was made to capture it. Warriors cut supplejack canes and tough forest vines, constructing a taiki or a basketwork cage decorated with feathers and weighted with stones. 55 The cage was brought to the riverbank at Te Waro-uri. A courageous chief named Pikata, along with several brave warriors dived into the icy waters to entice the monster into the trap. Above them tohunga chanted incantations to weaken the taniwha’s power. Pikata was able to slip a noose around the taniwha and signalled 60 to the warriors above to raise the cage. It caught on the bank, broke open and warriors rushed at the taniwha beating it to death. Pekehaua was cut open, revealing undigested bodies, weapons, garments of dog’s hair and cloaks adorned with kiwi and kaka feathers. Pekehaua’s flesh was roasted and eaten in a display of 65 contempt and celebration.

Taniwha Springs also became a tourist attraction as much as for its legend as its huge number of rainbow trout which travelled up the river to spawn. During the peak of its commercialism, the springs had its own modern legend in the making. The stream 70 became home to Harvey, a hermaphrodite rainbow trout with a unique colour scheme, earning him nicknames such as “Technicolour” and “Two-toned”. His distinctive colours, dark green in front and yellow-green on the ear, would reverse during feeding. 75

Taniwha Springs, now handed back to the Maori land owners, are slowly returning to their original state.

Waikoropupu Springs are the largest, clearest and most popular of New Zealand’s freshwater springs, situated just 10 minutes from Takaka in the South Island. The basin, containing the main 80 spring, is only 42 metres across, but by using a system of mirrors, two scientists from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research were able to test the visual clarity of the water. The result was a stunning 62 metres of horizontal visibility, possibly the clearest fresh water in the world. 85

A huge system of flooded chambers exists in the buried marble beneath the Takaka Valley. Overlaying the marble is a thick layer of impervious sandstone which acts as a cap rock over the water. In the Waikoropupu Valley, the river above has eroded through this cap rock. The underground water, at great pressure, has busted 90 through and formed the Pupu Springs. The water emerges filtered and pure, a process which can take up to 10 years. Millions of litres of clear water pour from the springs’ eight vents at a constant temperature of 11.7 degrees Celsius. The flow ranges from 7 to 21 cubic metres a second, with an average flow of about 14 cubic 95 metres, enough force to make rocks dance. This activity does little to disturb the thriving crayfish or the delicate weeds and mosses which are well-adjusted to the flow. Early Maori regarded Waikoropupu (bubbling waters) as sacred— a place of spiritual cleansing for travellers along the greenstone 100 The legend of the sacred springs has been handed down by word of mouth for generations. Afraid of losing this ancient legend forever, Maori elders have entrusted the story of Huriawa, the taniwha and guardian of the springs, to New Zealand writer Barry Brailsford. His Book, Song of Waitaha, due for release shortly, will 105 enable New Zealanders to learn the story associated with these magical waters.

With careful planning and management, Waikoropupu and its surrounding historical sites will remain a national treasure for all to enjoy. Bizarre bacterial formations, with the fragility of gossamer, 11O adorn some smaller, less accessible springs which are tucked away in the New Zealand wilderness. Their location remains as elusive as the legends which surround them.

This article featured in the Ansett New Zealand Southern Skies magazine July 1994 and has been reprinted with kind permission from Angie Belcher.

This article was a little more technical than the first. Multiply your line number by 9 (the average number of words per line). What’s your speed now? How much have you improved? Now check your comprehension.

Comprehension Check

1. Fresh water springs were around before the Maori people.

True or false?

2. A taniwha resembled:

a. blind fish c. huge lizards b. crayfish d. eels

3. The largest vent at the Hamurana Springs in Rotorua emits five million litres of water per:

a. second c. hour b. minute d. day

4. The Maoris built their villages well away from the spring.

True or false?

5. People disappeared going between Rotorua and Taupo because they were:

a. bad drivers c. lost in the forest b. eaten by a Taniwhad. d. decided to live elsewhere

6. Taniwha Springs became popular because of:

a. the legends c. Harvey the trout b. spawning trout d. all of the above

7. The Waikoropupu Springs, located in Takaka, are the clearest in New Zealand.

True or false?

8. The Waikoropupu Springs, located in Takaka, are the largest in New Zealand. True or false?

9. Water flows out of the Waikoropupu Springs on average 14 cubic metres per: a. second c. hour b. minute d. Day

10. There are many eels in the Waikoropupu Springs.

True or false?