Image: Chris Twemlow | DOC
Drone image of the marine reserve showing the ocean and the shore.
Te Whanganui-o-Hei/Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve

Located in Hahei area in the Coromandel region

The reserve protects a wide range of habitats from sandy flats to rocky reefs, offering great snorkelling and diving. Visitors to the reserve can also enjoy swimming, kayaking and viewing the interesting coastal geology.

The marine reserve was established in 1992 to protect and restore the diversity of the marine species and habitat.

Be aware the marine reserve is currently only accessible via water, due to the current Cathedral Cove walk track closure.

Travelling by car, the trip is about one and a half hours drive from Thames in the west, and about two and a half hours drive from Auckland.

From Thames on the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula, travel east across SH25A which then joins SH25. Travel north on SH25 towards Whitianga and follow the signs to Hahei. 

Island access

Access to Poikeke Island and Motueka Island is prohibited without permission from Ngāti Hei.

To help protect marine life inside the reserve, remember:

  • no fishing of any kind, either from a boat or from shore
  • no taking or disturbing any marine life, including shellfish and seaweeds
  • no taking of any part of the sea floor, including rocks and shells
  • no feeding the fish as it disturbs their natural behaviour.

Penalties for failure to comply under the Marine Reserves Act 1971 include confiscation of equipment, vessels or vehicles, fines and imprisonment.

Be aware of the boating rules of marine reserves (see the Marine Reserves Regulations 1993):

  • The maximum speed permitted for all boats in New Zealand is 5 knots (about 9 km/h) within 200 m of shore or any boat with a dive flag, and within 50 m of any other boat or swimmer.
  • Waste, ballast and sewage must not be discharged within the reserve.
  • Drop your anchor responsibly to avoid damage to the reserve, and use the minimum amount of chain necessary.

Water safety

If you plan to enjoy the water, learn how to stay safe when swimming, boating and fishing.
The marine reserve was established in 1992 to protect and restore the diversity if the marine species and habitat.
 
It sits adjacent to Mautohe Cathedral Cove, a globally recognised small and picturesque beach which is significant for Ngāti Hei. Reefs of hard rock, soft sediments, intricate caves and underwater arches provide habitat for plants, crustaceans, molluscs and fish, many of which can be seen on the snorkel trail at Gemstone Bay.

It is currently the only marine reserve in the Waikato region and Coromandel Peninsula.

Kina barrens

Kina (urchin) barrens are areas of rocky reef that lack natural kelp cover. Kina graze on kelp and their population increase leads to dramatic losses in kelp cover. Kelp is an important habitat and food source for marine communities, so when kelp forests are lost it affects the diversity and productivity of the whole ecosystem.

These barrens have become an ecological indicator for the overfishing of species that graze on kina, such as snapper and kōura. Scientists have found kina numbers increase when snapper and crayfish populations are reduced. Kina barrens are less common within marine reserves (including Te Whanganui-o-Hei), as the kina’s natural predators such as snapper and kōura have been able to recover.

Te Whanganui-o-Hei/Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve is part of the area first claimed by Hei, a tohunga (priest) on Te Arawa waka at the time of the Polynesian migration to New Zealand, circa 1350 AD.

Hei settled his people on the area around Mercury Bay, asserting ownership by referring to Motueka Island as 'Te Kuraetanga-o-taku-Ihu' ('The outward curve of my nose').

It is said he made this claim near the present day site of Hahei. Hei's descendants, as tangata whenua, still retain a strong ancestral and spiritual attachment to the site, and continue their role as guardians, or kaitiaki, of the resources within it.