The Department of Conservation says the popular Mautohe Cathedral Cove track in the Coromandel is due to reopen this weekend following a geotechnical assessment.
DOC's Coromandel operations manager, Nick Kelly, said the popular tourist spot had been closed under the Trigger Action Response Plan in response to an extreme rain event across the upper North Island that had potential to trigger slips and landslides.
The decision to reopen the track followed a geotechnical assessment on January 28.
"We have a large body of data about landslide and rockfall risk at Mautohe Cathedral Cove, a lot of experience managing the site – and combined with our TARP, we’re able to make well-informed and quick decisions, like this one to reopen the track," he said.
However, he said the Mautohe track remained under the landslide risk management approach.
"Public safety remains DOC's top priority – and people should be alert for rockfall, landslips and debris, both on the track and on the beach itself," he said.
This wasn't the first time the Cove had been closed due to geotechnical concerns, as rockfall during Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 led to a prolonged conservation effort to make the track operational again.
Other tracks, sites closed after slips
Kelly said there has also been a large landslide on the closed Hahei coastal track to Grange Rd, which he said "reinforced the previous decision not to repair and reopen that part of the track network".
"Work to completely decommission that closed section of the track will be planned."
He said reinstatement work at Waimata Gemstone Bay remained on hold, and the track was not available to the public.
"Assessments this week have also revealed damage at two other north Coromandel DOC visitor sites.
Kelly said Matarangi Bluff Track - a popular walking track about 40 minutes north of Whitianga - was impassable, with the current slip very close to an historical slip in the same area.
"It’s believed the slip can be cleared with light machinery – but the timing of that work is still to be confirmed," he said.
Visitors were urged to stay off this track until further notice.
Several slips on North Coromandel Walkway delays campsite reopening
a popular walking and cycling track north of Stony Bay and Port Charles.
Kelly said the North Coromandel Walkway required a geotechnical assessment to understand "the scale of the damage and the possibility of further slips".
"There are also sections of the track where there is a fall risk due to the proximity of the damaged sections of the track to cliff faces and steep drops."
"People should not go naturing at these two locations – we believe they are not safe, and there is a risk of injury to visitors,” he said.
DOC had previously signalled it hoped to reopen the North coromandel campsites this weekend, but he said this was no longer viable.
"Closer inspection of the campsites has revealed more damage than first thought, and the availability of contractors is crucial to being able to make the campsites ready for visitors."
The revised target to reopen the north Coromandel campsites was Waitangi Weekend, but that would rely on "a range of factors still being worked through".
DOC encouraged would-be-campers and walkers to check the DOC website for closures when planning trips to the area.
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