March 03, 2023
Coromandel reopens despite road blocks
The mayor of Thames Coromandel says he wants people to keep coming to the area, despite the battering it has got from the weather.
Len Salt says its problems aren’t just from Cyclone Gabrielle but a whole series of weather events over the past couple of months which has cut roads and damaged other infrastructure.
He says while state highway 25A between Kopu and Hikuwai, the main access way from homes to the east of the peninsula, may be down for the next year, there are alternate routes.
“The access to our peninsula is the coastal road or the southeastern access through Waihi, Whangamata and either way they’re stunningly beautiful accesses, they’re really nice ways to see the peninsula and we encourage people to come and visit but take your time, take the scenic route and enjoy the journey,” Mayor Salt says.
He says the actions of marae and Māori communities have been critical in helping the community get through seven weeks of emergencies.