Behavioural change movement behind Tapuae Spring Water’s refill station
We are happy to support refill stations in our region to support our community to take steps to reduce their carbon footprint and encourage people to learn more about our taiao, which provides life-giving resources. Find more local suppliers and retailers offering refill options at the end of this article.
This month we are highlighting Tapuae Spring Water for its progressive business model that supports our community members to reduce their single-use plastic consumption.
The name Tapuae is an indigenous Māori name that represents both the place of origin and the people of the land. The meaning of Tapuae translated is “Footprint”
The branding of Tapuae Spring Water has been purposely created to capture the essence of the surrounding area, whilst honouring the journey that the water has taken from the peaks of Mount Taranaki to the Tapuae valley. We passionately uphold and embrace the Mana that is associated with this living water.
Founder and Director, Crystal Smithers shares her story with us.
Crystal traveled through some of the world’s poorest countries throughout Southeast Asia and Central America and was struck by how difficult it was for those communities to source clean drinking water. “I observed a large part of their day was around finding household and drinking water that was usually discoloured and did not look anywhere near clean,” she stated.
She was humbled to realise that a steady supply of clean water had always been right at her doorstep, in the form of an aquifer based in the Tapuae valley on her family land.
Upon her return to New Zealand she decided to start a venture that would make the spring water accessible to her local community. She envisioned creating a self-service water dispenser directly connected to the aquifer.
In 2018 she started designing the water dispenser and worked with a local engineering firm to start the manufacturing. Three years later the water dispenser was ready to operate and Tapuae Spring Water opened its door in April 2021.
Why are people choosing Tapuae Spring Water and to refill?
The self-service spring water dispenser has been designed and engineered in order to make it easy to operate and to ensure water safety the spring water passes through an ultraviolet light 2 phase filtration system.
The self-service water dispenser located at 905 South Road Ōmata operates 24/7 allowing customers to refill with spring water anytime. Customers can bring their own containers or purchase some from the dispenser reducing the use of single-use plastic bottles.
What is your vision in 5 years?
Tapuae Spring Water is planning to establish a bottling plant facility where 1L and 500ml glass bottles can be purchased throughout Taranaki and other regions within New Zealand.
Read More About Ways To Reduce Your Plastic Consumption Specific To Our Region.
Ditch The Bottle For The Bar - MamaGaia Helping To Solve Our Plastic Problem
Down To Earth Organics Refill Station
Check out the Rubbish Trip in Taranaki for more refill options in our region.
