Coromandel & Bay of Plenty

Tauranga is lining up for an economic boost this summer from a varied lineup of events, music and entertainment.

The Department of Conservation and Ngāti Hei are once again urging the public to respect warnings and a rāhui around the walking tracks at Coromandel Cove.

The court finds that the booking agents did not have a duty to visitors, nor did they have workers on the island.

Destination Hauraki Coromandel has developed a poster to let visitors know what commercial operators are providing tours around Cathedral Cove over the summer.

Six events will share $125,000 from the Hauraki Coromandel Regional Event Fund.

DOC is also warning visitors to stay away from the famous arches due to the danger.

A bill to protect the Hauraki Gulf has passed its first reading in parliament.

Around 20,000 people are expected to visit Tauranga for the Zespri AIMS Games from 2 – 8 September.

Port of Tauranga expects 108 cruise ship visits during its 2024 financial year, up 23% from the 88 recorded in FY23.

The continued closure of walking tracks around one of Coromandel’s most popular natural attractions poses a challenge but marine access still offers an excellent experience.

Thames Hauraki District Council is seeking public feedback on its draft biking strategy for the region.

The Department of Conservation expects to determine the fate of the popular Coromandel hotspot Cathedral Cove next week.

The government is nearly tripling the Hauraki Gulf protection area with 19 new marine protection areas.

Destination Hauraki Coromandel will receive $200,000 from the government to help boost visitor numbers over the summer as part of the region’s recovery efforts.

State Highway 25 between Thames and Coromandel has reopened to traffic with two lanes operational 24/7.

Three helicopter tour operators charged by WorkSafe plead guilty just days before the trial starts.

Up to $70,000 is on offer for initiatives through Coromandel Regional Events Fund when it opens for applications next week.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has committed to March 2024 for the completion and reopening of SH25A in Coromandel.

White Island Tours says it is devastated by the disaster and has not operated to the island there since.

The Hauraki Rail Trail will receive $2m from the government to enable the repair, recovery and maintenance of the popular cycle route.

Destination Hauraki Coromandel is soon to launch a redesigned thecoromandel.com website for visitors to the region.

Construction on the new bridge reconnecting State Highway 25A with the Coromandel peninsula is set to start in the next fortnight.

Tourism giving more than it takes for society, the environment and people is the foundation of Hauraki and Coromandel’s new destination management plan, but funding remains a challenge.

New Zealand research has uncovered a new way to track the path of rock and gas flows from volcanoes.

The government has earmarked immediate funding of an estimated $30m-$40m for the construction of a new bridge along the Coromandel’s SH25A.

Eight Department of Conservation campsites around the Coromandel’s Kauaeranga Valley are closed this month while they undergo repairs.

More than 100 operators and 185 buyers will be at Eden Park in Auckland today.

March visitor spend for Hauraki Coromandel was down 2% compared to the same month the previous year, but events and day visitors boosted numbers across the region.

The novel promotion aims to entice people to explore the region over the ANZAC holiday.

The annual Whangamata Beach Hop event has contributed to a rise in visitor numbers to the Coromandel.

Visitor spend across the summer hotspot fell 40% in February due to Cyclone Gabrielle.

Destination Hauraki Coromandel has launched a new campaign to attract visitors back to the region.

The grants can help businesses impacted due to barriers to customer access, supply chain issues, or the inability to operate as usual due to damage.

January’s poor weather has seen visitor numbers and spend fall sharply at one of the country’s favourite summer destinations.

Tourism Bay of Plenty is seeking two new trustees who love the region and want to see its visitor economy thrive.

Significant cancellations have been taken leaving some operators struggling through the summer.

A plan to guide the hard hit destination back to business is already in progress.

A confirmed measles case has been detected in New Zealand for the first time since 2019.

Iconic Coromandel tourist spot, Cathedral Cove, has been completely closed to the public due to a severe slip in the last two days, as well as washouts, fallen trees, and flooding.

Destination Hauraki Coromandel is encouraging visitors to check out some of the region’s iconic spots while State Highway 25a remains closed due to a major slip.

All conservation land is off limits to the public in Auckland, while campsites around the Coromandel have also been closed.

More heavy rain is expected across Northland, Auckland north of Orewa, and the Coromandel over the next two days.

Some regions such as Coromandel saw visitor numbers rebound before holiday parks had even dried out.

A rāhui has been placed across Ōpoutere Beach, the Wharekawa Harbour, and Wharekawa River in the Coromandel.

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.