February 13, 2026

Mautohe Cathedral Cove Tracks Close as Weather Warnings Issued

Matthew Tukaki Posted On February 13, 2026

Tracks to Mautohe Cathedral Cove will be closed this weekend as heavy rain and severe weather warnings impact parts of the North Island.

Periods of rain, some of it heavy, are forecast across Coromandel from 13 to 15 February. An Orange Weather Warning has been issued by MetService, signalling the potential for significant rainfall and hazardous conditions.

The Department of Conservation has activated its Trigger Response Action Plan for Mautohe Cathedral Cove, which requires the closure of tracks whenever weather warnings are issued during rainfall events. The move is aimed at reducing risk to visitors in an area known for geological instability.

Recent assessments have identified ongoing residual risk of landslides and rockfalls, particularly following periods of heavy rain when saturated soil and unstable cliffs can shift without warning. Officials say public safety is the priority, and visitors are being urged to avoid the site during the storm period.

While the walking tracks will be closed, the cove remains accessible from the sea. However, anyone considering marine access is advised to carefully assess conditions, including the risk of falling debris and further slips.

The closure comes just weeks after the tracks reopened on 30 January following storm damage earlier in the year. The area had previously been shut in February 2023 after extensive destruction caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. Repairs were carried out through the second half of 2024 before visitors were welcomed back in December.

Department of Conservation staff will inspect the tracks once the storm system passes, with reopening dependent on safety assessments.

North Coromandel campsites remain open, though visitors are being encouraged to consider whether camping is advisable in wet weather conditions. Road users are also advised to check updates from local authorities and transport agencies before travelling, as heavy rainfall may affect access routes.

With unsettled weather forecast across much of the region, authorities are urging caution and planning ahead to avoid unnecessary risk.