Environment
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has stepped into the closed Cathedral Cove issue announcing today that the reinstatement of the walking access before next summer a priority. The track to the iconic beach – renowned for its natural rock arch feature – was severely damaged by extreme weather events in January and February 2023. The Department […]
By John Freer Any conversation about Cathedral Cove must be led by the key stakeholders responsible for the whenua, this according to Thames Coromandel Mayor, Len Salt, in response to a visit this week by the Minister for Tourism to the closed iconic tourism track. The Mayor yesterday provided this information to CFM when asked […]
By John Freer A champion may have been found for those wanting to get the Cathedral Cove reopened in the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, the Hon Matt Doocey. He visited the site today, afterward being strong in his response to a question from CFM on where the closure of land access sat in terms […]
By John Freer Hot Water Beach, Hahei and Whitianga business owners are angered in being excluded from a meeting this Friday, called to discuss critical issues relating to Cathedral Cove by the Department of Conservation. Leading tourism operators such as Hot Water Beach Top 10, Hotties Eatery, Cathedral Cove Park and Ride and Cathedral Cove […]
By John Freer Concern and frustration at the Department of Conservation with Coromandel Peninsula tracks, huts and campgrounds not operating to full capacity for the coming holiday season. This on the back of information provided to CFM that a meeting is proposed this week regarding the future of Cathedral Cove, where only selected people are […]
With more rocks and debris having fallen from Cathedral Cove’s iconic arch, local Iwi Ngati Hei have now imposed a rahui on the site. DOC Coromandel Operations Manager Nick Kelly says his team was alerted to the latest rockfall at the beach – which is thought to have occurred on Monday, it was spotted by […]
By John Freer Consideration of establishing Mercury Bay as a World Heritage Park has the backing of an international expert who is already working on similar projects in Asia. Professor Gordon Maxwell, who resides in Hong Kong while also farming near Hikutaia, has told CFM that Mercury Bay warrants such status to not just preserve […]
By John Freer The Hauraki Gulf has been in the news over recent days with an announcement relating to a Marine Protection Bill, and the Hauraki Gulf Forum released its three-year State of the Gulf report. Living in Thames, Katina Conomos has worked with several entities on Hauraki Gulf restoration. Katina is currently the Programme […]
By John Freer Warren Maher is passionate about fishing but he is devastated by what is happening to the likes of our snapper, kahawai and trevally. Tairua-based, Warren is the Vice-Chairman of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council, and he is the Thames Coromandel councillor on the Waikato Regional Council. He stood for council last […]
With Friday being the cut off for public consultation on the Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Management Plan, Hauraki Gulf Alliance member, Legasea, has been angered to what it sees as being late changes to the plan. Legasea spokesman, Sam Woolford, described changes allowing commercial bottom trawling and scallop dredging, as insulting to the many groups which […]
