27/10/2026
Reefton man makes $14,000 selling ordinary creek water as ‘emotionally recharged alpine glacier tears’
REEFTON — A Reefton man has reportedly made more than $14,000 selling ordinary creek water to visiting tourists, marketing it as a rare spiritual wellness product known as “Emotionally Recharged Alpine Glacier Tears.”
Local entrepreneur Pete Zahut had been collecting water from a creek just outside Reefton, bottling it in recycled glass containers and selling it for $65 each at local artisan markets.
The bottles were advertised as containing “ancient alpine frequencies, emotional clarity and naturally occurring spiritual minerals.”
Customers were advised to drink three drops each morning, hold the bottle against their forehead during stressful situations or place it beside their bed to absorb negative energy.
The operation came under scrutiny after Wellington tourist Faye Dingaway discovered a dead sandfly floating inside her $65 bottle.
“I was told this water had been spiritually filtered through thousands of years of untouched alpine wilderness,” Dingaway said.
“Then I noticed a bloody sandfly floating around in it.”
Zahut defended the product, insisting the insect was an optional biodiversity enhancement included in selected premium bottles.
“That's not contamination, mate. That's authentic West Coast wildlife. People pay thousands to experience nature, and I'm putting it in a bottle for sixty-five bucks.”
Further investigations reportedly revealed the water had been collected using a dirty 20-litre plastic container previously used to wash a Toyota Hilux.
Zahut denied misleading customers.
“I never said which glacier the tears came from. For all I know, that creek's been emotionally connected to a glacier at some point.”
Market spokesperson Jai Entbulls confirmed several bottles had been removed from sale pending an investigation into their origins and suitability for human consumption.
“We support locally sourced natural products, but there are certain standards. Ideally, drinking water shouldn't contain visible insects or traces of diesel.”
Investigators also discovered Zahut had been selling ordinary creek stones for $45 each under the name “Ancient River Chakra Anchors.”
One customer reportedly purchased six stones to improve the energy flow in her Wellington apartment.
Zahut has since announced plans to launch a premium range of “Wild West Coast Hydration Elixir” priced at $95 per bottle.
The new product will reportedly feature a finer mesh strainer and a certificate confirming that no sandflies larger than 3mm are present.
