Uncover the remarkable history of Pure One, one of the world’s rarest mineral waters, with origins dating back to the 19th century. However, in the early 1900s, this unique, mineral-rich water was discovered by accident when the Bonithon Petroleum Company drilled—not for water, but for oil. Today, Pure One stands as a testament to nature’s hidden treasures, offering exceptional purity and a unique mineral profile unlike any other.

In 1906, an oil exploration took an unexpected turn, leading to the discovery of pure, mineral-rich water instead of oil. Sourced from a sealed well 1,000 meters underground, this pristine water was found to be connected to the Matemateāonga Formation—an ancient aquifer estimated to be 3.6 to 23 million years old. Naturally filtered through volcanic rock, it remains untouched, offering exceptional purity and a unique mineral composition.

For years, the mineral-rich water flowed unused until 1914, when the Tarawhata Hot Mineral Baths were established. A 25-meter by 12-meter bathhouse was built, serving as a public swimming pool alongside several private mineral baths, all housed within the same concrete structure. These natural, geothermal-infused waters became a sought-after destination for relaxation and wellness, highlighting the healing properties of mineral-rich water.

By 1939, the Tarawhata Mineral Baths had gained widespread popularity. H. Reedman, an Egyptian herbalist, promoted them as "the most modern in the Southern Hemisphere," comparing their therapeutic benefits to the renowned Kreuznach Tonic Springs in Prussia. These mineral-rich waters were believed to support relief from rheumatism, gout, sciatica, goiter, and nervous ailments, while also serving as a natural tonic for overall well-being.

The Tarawhata Mineral Baths remained a beloved destination until their closure in the mid-1960s. Following their shutdown, the historic bathhouse was repurposed into a residential block, marking the end of an era for this once-thriving wellness retreat.

Mike Fahy and Coral Lambert purchased the flats as a rental investment, initially planning to demolish part of the deteriorating historic structure and add two new rental units. However, Michael—who had 25 years of experience in the oil industry—began experimenting with the Bonithon 1 bore, leading to an unexpected, life-changing discovery."We assumed the well had been capped. After running the flats for six years, we turned a few valves—and suddenly, the water started flowing." After years of research and exploration, the vision to revive the historic Tarawhata Mineral Baths was born.

In 1999, construction began to restore the historic mineral bathhouse, led by The Bonithon Spa Health Co. Ltd (founded by Mike Fahy & Coral Lambert). A year later, in September 2000, the doors reopened to the public as the Taranaki Thermal Spa, bringing back one of New Zealand’s most unique natural wellness experiences.

After further scientific analysis, Mike and Coral discovered that the mineral-rich water was not only ideal for bathing but also safe for drinking. This led to the creation of Pure One Mineral Water—the only known mineral water of its kind in New Zealand, naturally enriched with 17 essential minerals for premium hydration and wellness.

Proudly New Zealand family-owned and operated, we’ve been supplying the Taranaki community and beyond with premium mineral water for over 24 years. Now, in 2023 & 2024, we’re expanding—bringing our rare, mineral-rich water to more New Zealanders. It’s time to experience this hidden gem for yourself!

We've always known that our water is very unique, so we decided it was time to see where it stood on the world stage. Enter the Taste & Design Awards, one of the most prestigious global water competitions, hosted by the renowned FineWaters Society.In 2024, the event took place in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain, where a panel of six expert water sommeliers blind-tasted over 110 waters from 37 countries. Competing against the finest, Pure One Mineral Water proudly took home Gold in the Taste category for Still, Medium Minerality—solidifying our place among the world’s best-tasting waters.