DOC will explore alternatives to the removal of the Hahei Short Walk as part of ongoing discussions with a local community group.
Globally renowned, Coromandel’s Mautohe Cathedral Cove is the main attraction for many visitors heading to the DOC-managed recreation reserve between Whitianga and Hahei.
The Hahei Short Walk is one of several access points to the Cathedral Cove Walk and has been closed since 2023 due to damage sustained in Cyclone Gabrielle. Storm damage in January 2026 resulted in multiple landslides across the reserve, disrupting track repair efforts at Waimata Gemstone Bay and on the Hahei Short Walk track.
Following the re-opening of the main track to Mautohe Cathedral Cove, DOC staff worked with iwi and the community to develop an adaptation plan to inform future management options. The plan considered elements like climate change, particularly extreme rain events and cyclones which contribute to geological instability and ongoing risk to visitor infrastructure. Costs to rebuild were also considered.
Based on the guidance offered by the adaptation plan, and in response to the most recent damage, DOC proposed removing the two tracks and sought public submissions on the proposal. Alongside the 33 submissions received, 1,311 people signed a “Don’t Close Our Cathedral Cove Tracks” petition before consultation closed in June. The petition remains active.
DOC’s Hauraki Waikato Taranaki Regional Director Tinaka Mearns says the Hahei Residents and Ratepayers Association (HRRA) requested further discussions on the future of the Hahei Short Walk, which DOC will pursue.
“We’re enthused to hear there is desire to look after a track residents care about,” says Tinaka. “We’re looking to try something new for this site. There’s a strong sense of ownership within the local community, and we’re responding.”
The next step will be confirming a date for talks with the HRRA and members of the Harsant family, who have a connection to the land.
“We expect the discussion with the HRRA to be thorough and transparent, and it may take the parties time to come to a workable arrangement.”
DOC has determined repairing and reopening the Hahei Short Walk is not feasible for the department due to known geological instability, increasing frequency of severe storms, and infrastructure vulnerability to landslides.
They will be working with the HRRA to explore the Hahei reroute option previously outlined in reports.
“We’ll be sharing this information with the HRRA, so the group is aware of the challenges and risks we’ve been managing.
“Beyond what we committed to the paused repair project, DOC has not allocated further funding to work on the Hahei Short Walk or the Waimata-Gemstone Bay Track.
“…..the Waimata Gemstone Bay Track will not be repaired a third time. “
She urged the community to support DOC and discourage people from using the Hahei Short Walk until any future repair has been completed.
“People have still been using these two tracks, and we are concerned about this,” Tinaka says.
“We don’t want anybody to get hurt, so we encourage potential visitors to try another track instead.”
DOC has a page of information dedicated to Mautohe Cathedral Cove.
www.doc.govt.nz/always-be-naturing
◾️Editor’s note: The walks referred to – Gemstone Bay and The Hahei Short Walk Track have continued to be used despite their being closed by DOC. Locals have done considerable work on them. The Harsant family forebears gifted the Cathedral Cove land to the Crown. See Letters to the Editor on this matter.
