Coromandel & Bay of Plenty

Incidents at the Whangamata Beach Hop last weekend have prompted police to issue a reminder to drivers about responsibilities on the road, and to avoid intoxication.

Destination Hauraki Coromandel has a new name and a new mission as it transitions to becoming a destination management organisation as well as encouraging visitors to spend more in the region.

A proposed Dark Sky reserve around the Coromandel is one step closer to achieving recognition after receiving a $50,000 grant.

Beachgoers are putting threatened Opoutere dotterels and variable oystercatchers at risk of habitat destruction near a key nesting site in the Coromandel, says the Department of Conservation.

Visitors and residents around the Hauraki Gulf and Coromandel are being asked to keep an eye for kekeno or New Zealand fur seals overthe next three months.

Western Bay of Plenty economic development agency Priority One is hosting a delegation of New Zealand and Australian-based Heads of Mission, Ambassadors and High Commissioners from 37 countries this week.

Destination Coromandel has launched a regional industry-wide sustainability programme to help 200 businesses to reduce their environmental impact.

The Kōpū business and marine precinct has been granted consent to build a commercial working wharf and recreational boat ramp at a cost of $8.2m.

Tourism operators in The Coromandel have seen the busiest December in three years, according to Destination Coromandel.

Tourism businesses within a few hours drive of Auckland are saying better late than never, and hoping for the increase in traffic to continue as long as possible after the visitor drought in the second half of 2021.

Operators in traditional summer destinations report good interest but those further afield are waiting.

The Coromandel tourism industry is counting on a busy summer after visitor spend fell 34% between August and October 2021, compared with the same period last year.

Coromandel Ocean Adventures is applying to the Department of Conservation for a marine mammal viewing permit.

Regional tourism and accommodation operators could see a surge in Aucklanders booking out-of-region travel, according to Bachcare.

A complete moa skeleton in an unfamiliar pose is now on display at the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre in the Coromandel.

Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours has won the tourism category at the 2021 Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards.

The three Waikato cases come as the government decides whether to shift Auckland from level 4 lockdown.

Boaties cruising around Coromandel’s Mercury Islands are being told to stay home as New Zealand’s Covid-19 restrictions continue.

Driving Creek Railway says it will stay closed until the end of August after a Covid case visited on Saturday.

Coromandel’s Star and Garter Hotel is among more than a dozen tourism, hospitality, and retail outlets named locations of interest.

Resurfacing of the popular Kauri Block Walkway in the Coromandel is slated to be complete by mid-August, says the Department of Conservation.

First round of funding to be up to $140,000.

The 2021 Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards is now open for entries.

Hotel guest nights beat holiday parks and campgrounds for the first time in several months.

Organisers have “flipped the script doing away with scallops altogether,” says Destination Coromandel GM Hadley Dryden.

Boating, sports, food and arts events have secured funding from Destination Coromandel’s $80,000 Signature Events Marketing Fund.

Civil Defence has cancelled its tsunami warning and says there is no threat to the country’s coastlines.

Port of Tauranga saw ship visits decline by 15.3% to 661 for the six months to December 2020.

Whakatāne has launched a new tongue-in-cheek “sunniest place in the world” campaign.

Less litter, cleaner public toilets, happier visitors and more promotion of the Coromandel were the successful outcomes of the $656,566 Responsible Camping Fund granted to Thames-Coromandel District Council.

Event organisers in the Coromandel can now apply for marketing support from Destination Coromandel’s $80k Signature Events Marketing Fund.

The first court appearance for the 13 parties charged by WorkSafe in relation to the 2019 Whakaari/White Island eruption has been moved to next year. 

Tourism Bay of Plenty’s CEO recalls a day of “shock and disbelief” as the tragedy unfolded and the agency swung into crisis management.

A dawn service was held at Whakatane Heads this morning to commemorate the 22 lives lost in the Whakaari/White Island eruption one year ago.

Ownership of Bay of Plenty destination Waimangu Volcanic Valley has been transferred to Te Arawa iwi Ngāti Rangitihi as part of its settlement with the Crown.

White Island Tours and Volcanic Air Safaris are among the parties charged.

Covid-19 restrictions mean many families of the victims of last year’s eruption will not be able to attend the one year commemoration.

German man Horst Westenfelder, 64, died on 2 July at an overseas hospital due to medical complications while receiving treatment for injuries.

Running from Wednesday to Sunday, the festival draws hot rod, classic car, caravan and motorcycle enthusiasts to the area.

Tak Mutu’s MDA Experiences is the penultimate operator to secure funding from the programme.

TCDC has sought public feedback on how important it is that council continues investing in promoting tourism.

Fernland Spa in Tauranga is on the market for sale for the first time nearly 30 years.

Donations made by cruise ship passengers visiting the Bay of Plenty during the 2019/2020 season have funded the hatching and raising of a kiwi chick.

Bay of Plenty operator New Zealand Riverjet is up for sale.

Fullers360 is launching a set of new products and services, specifically tailored to the local domestic market.

It is the first region in New Zealand to be named in the Green Destinations’ Top 100 Sustainable Destination list.

Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency’s Takitimu North Link project is up for tender for construction. 

The Boat Shed at Tarawera has been named the country’s best and most popular bach.

Tourism Bay of Plenty has launched its new Sure to Make You Smile campaign thanks to the $700,000 funding it received through the Government’s Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme.

The Department of Conservation is urging those planning to camp at the Kauaeranga Valley to book early ahead of what it expects to be a busy summer season.