Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 14 August 2026
The Hahei Beach Short Walk is part of the popular wider Mautohe Cathedral Cove Reserve, connecting the township of Hahei with the globally renowned cove and its rock arch. The walk was damaged by storms in early 2026, thwarting DOC’s own reinstatement project.
DOC’s Coromandel Operations Manager Nick Kelly says this week’s meeting stemmed from DOC’s recent public engagement on the future of the walk, during which the HRRA made a submission and requested further discussion.
“The meeting this week was respectful, pragmatic and future-focussed,” Nick says.
“We discussed how the partnership would operate, and administrative aspects of the HRRA’s role in exploring other alignments for the track and maintaining it in the future.”
A large amount of detail and information is still to be shared, discussed and agreed by the department’s team and HRRA representatives.
HRRA Chairman John Jonassen says the organisation’s members believe they can summon the resources and community support for a potential reroute of the track.
“A new alignment has been proposed for the track reroute which avoids landslip-prone areas and will not require critical infrastructure,” John says.
The Adaptation Plan for Mautohe Cathedral Cove and the Trigger Action Response Plan remain key instruments to the collaborative framework and visitor safety. Both DOC and the HRRA acknowledge their value and importance.
The administrative mechanism to enable a shared approach is yet to be determined, but DOC staff and the HRRA representatives are exploring which model will meet all requirements.
Progressing the partnership will take some time and there are no “quick fixes” available for reinstating the track, Nick says.
DOC staff and the HRRA representatives also agreed on a communications protocol which will ensure the community is updated on developments and decisions, acknowledging there is a high level of interest in the situation.
Nick says DOC staff and HRRA representatives acknowledge there are fiscal barriers and funding from external sources will be needed. Existing infrastructure on the track will be left in place, but Nick urges the public to respect the current closure and not use the track.
Both organisations acknowledge the cultural connection Ngāti Hei has to Mautohe , protected through whakapapa and settlement legislation. Working with Ngāti Hei will be critical to future success.
The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Harsant family, members of Thames Coromandel District Council and Mercury Bay Community Board, and Ian Carter, who owns the adjacent property. The Harsant and Carter families have an interest in the area through previous and current land ownership.
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Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/14/first-discussions-held-on-hahei-beach-short-walk-opportunity/