Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve

The Cathedral Cove is a bay on the beach section of the Mercury Bay on the Coromandel Peninsula of the North Island of New Zealand north of Hahei. The name generally includes the Cathedral Cave ( Cathedral Cave) with a.

The area was under the name of Te Whanganui -A -Hei, the Maori name for the Bay, 1993, the first coastal reserve of the Coromandel Peninsula, under the supervision of the Department of Conservation in Waikato and to the protection of the habitat of flora and fauna around Mozukoure, Moturoa, Motueka and Mahurangi Islands serve.

Maori tradition

The Maori name Whanganui -A -Hei (in a sense, the great bay of Hei) refers to an important Maori chief named Hei. In the tradition of the Maori, he declared the area as a home for his clan. He determined the Motueka Island ( mutatis mutandis The outer curve of my nose) included a few kilometers off the coast as Te Kuraetanga -o- taku - Ihu in this area. It is now assumed that he explained this area claim to the coastal area of ​​the Mercury Bay is located approximately on the location of today's coastal town of Hahei from whose name is also due to these Maori Chief.

Geology and origin

The coastal rock consists of very bright limestone, are trapped between the partly different, firmer rock formations. The coast rises in the Cathedral Cove about 40 meters above the sea level. Some of the cliffs rise vertically right up to the water line, in other places of the coastal protection area are due to the permanent flushing of the shoreline coves and cuts emerged, in which the species-rich vegetation of New Zealand has settled. The actual " Cathedral " is the cave in the connection between Mare 's Leg Cove and Cathedral Cove, which has a cathedral-like, pointed ceiling. Created this characteristic of the cave is through differently oriented rock layers of the walls of the cave, so that such a form could arise by the action of the tides over many millennia.

Tourist use

Despite their classification in the marine reserve the cave as well as some of the bays in the area with paths is easily accessible. From the parking lot near Hahei and Gemstone Bay about 30 minutes walk and a descent on the stairs to the beach the Mare 's Leg Cove have to be covered. From Hahei Beach can also be placed on a small boat to Cathedral Cove. Very nice beaches to the bays for a swim. Signs in front of the caves warn against entering as possibly falling rocks. A few kilometers south of Hahei is the touristy also very interesting Hot Water Beach.

For more information

  • Website on the Coromandel Peninsula (English )
  • Page from the Naval Reserve Te Whanganui -A -Hei
  • Interactive panorama of the coast directly above the Cathedral Cove

- 36.827628175.790087Koordinaten: 36 ° 49 ' 39.5 " S, 175 ° 47' 24.3 " E

  • Bay in New Zealand
  • Bay in Australia and Oceania
  • Bay ( Pacific Ocean )
  • Waikato (Region)
Māori language Waikato District
169726
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