Te Whanganui-o-Hei / Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve

Te Whanganui-o-Hei is an 840-hectare marine reserve stretching along the eastern coastline of the Coromandel Peninsula, marked by rock arches, caves, and sandy coves. Within its protected waters, kelp forests grow on the seabed and provide shelter for snapper, grouper, and numerous invertebrates.

This protected area was established in 1992 after decades of overfishing had depleted stocks along the coastline. Since then, fish populations within its boundaries have recovered and gradually restored biodiversity to the surrounding waters.

The name honors Hei, a navigator who arrived aboard Te Arawa, one of the founding voyaging canoes that reached New Zealand. Local Māori maintain ancestral ties to this coastline, reflected in bilingual signage and the careful stewardship practiced throughout the area.

Access involves walking tracks that are easier at low tide, as some passages become submerged during high water. Kayaks and snorkeling gear can be rented nearby, with calm weather offering the best conditions for underwater viewing.

The natural rock archway served as a film location for The Chronicles of Narnia and graces computer desktops worldwide as wallpaper. This exposure has drawn larger visitor numbers, prompting conservation authorities to build additional pathways to manage foot traffic.