The onset of Cyclone Tam has prompted DoC to close tracks to Coromandel’s Mautohe Cathedral Cove and urge visitors not to go to the famous beach.

MetService has issued a Heavy Rain Warning for Coromandel in response to Cyclone Tam.

The cyclone is expected to dump up to 250mm of rain on the peninsula and pack winds of up to 140km/h, resulting in a Wind Warning from the forecaster.

MetService’s warnings are in effect from 12am on Thursday, April 18 to 12pm on Friday, April 19.

Department of Conservation Coromandel senior ranger Matt Flynn said it’s prudent to close tracks to Cathedral Cove given the cyclone’s expected impact.

“As well as the wind and rain forecast, swells up to 4m are predicted, meaning the waves are likely to reach the cliffs behind the cove’s beach.

“We strongly discourage people from visiting the cove over the next few days – the conditions make it unsafe.

“We do not want people getting hurt.”

Flynn said the Cathedral Cove closure will come into effect from 5pm on Wednesday, April 16 and be in place until at least midday on Saturday, April 19 – when staff will carry out a site inspection and make further decisions about whether it is safe to reopen tracks to the beach.

Mautohe Cathedral Cove is one of Coromandel and New Zealand’s most picturesque and iconic coastal locations, famous for its rock arch.

However, land around the cove is known to be potentially unstable with a noted geological and landslide risk after heavy rain events.

DoC’s Trigger Action Response Plan for Mautohe Cathedral Cove guides decision-making for track closures at the site.

Tracks to Cathedral Cove were closed in February 2023 because of extensive damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

DoC repaired the tracks through the second half of 2024 and reopened to visitors in December 2024.