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Planning is underway to get Hahei Beach Walk rerouted and open in time for next summer.
The track, which links Hahei to the Mautohe Cathedral Cove Track, has been closed since early 2023 due to landslide risks and land movement following severe weather events including Cyclone Gabrielle.
“This track has been a priority for DOC since reopening walking access to Cathedral Cove,” says DOC Coromandel operations manager Nick Kelly.
“This area’s incredible nature is at the heart of its tourism economy. We know this link between Hahei and Cathedral Cove is important for the community.
“Given its cliff-side alignment through high-risk terrain, we weren’t sure a safe and affordable solution would be possible. It’s fantastic to now have a feasible design to progress.
“The proposed reroute offers greatly improved safety and resilience, avoiding the unstable upper section of the old track altogether. It follows moderate terrain and avoids the need for complex structures like staircases or bridges.
“Although it will still require some work including tree felling, groundwater management, and the installation of box steps, it’s been designed to keep ongoing maintenance requirements to a minimum.”
Initial funding will come from the $5M allocated from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy in July 2024. This investment was designed to support restoring and maintaining access to Mautohe Cathedral Cove over the longer-term, says Nick.
“Initial estimates put the design and delivery costs for this work around $140,000 and we’ll carry out more detailed planning to confirm the final budget required.”
Construction is scheduled to begin in September and be completed by the end of November 2025.
“As always, we’ll need the community’s patience and support in giving work crews space to get the job done,” says Nick.
“We all have a role to play in caring for this place. We urge the community to help keep visitors safe by ensuring people stay off the track and away from the worksite until the reroute is completed.”
The Hahei reroute will branch off midway along the existing Hahei track and connect with Grange Road near the start of the Mautohe Cathedral Cove track.
Tourism on public conservation land is estimated to be worth $3.4 billion annually. More than 50 per cent of international visitors and around 80 per cent of New Zealanders visit protected natural areas each year.
