The physical and chemical features of Pupu Springs (40 51’ S, 172° 46’ E), near Takaka, the largest cold springs in New Zealand and one of the largest in the world, were investigated by scuba diving. The springs have a maximum depth of 6.9 m and a mosaic of substrate types (bedrock, boulders, and gravel). The temperature of the springs water is constant at 11.7°C, water velocities are generally moderate to very strong (25–100 cm.s‐1), and average water discharge is about 9.6 m3.s‐1. Mean holding time for water in the springs is 4.4 min. The water is extremely clear, with a vertical extinction coefficient (log10) of 0.09. The springs water flows from an artesian basin in Arthur Marble and is low in dissolved oxygen. The water is rich in calcium (64 g.m‐3), with a high specific conductivity (65 mS.m‐1). Information on water temperature, discharge, and chemistry is provided for five other cold springs in New Zealand: Hamurana Springs, Rotorua; Otangaroa Springs, near Putaruru; Three Springs, near Fairlie; Western Springs, Auckland; and a spring at Lake Hayes, Queenstown.