Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove)
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Te Whanganui-A-Hei was the first marine reserve established on the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand, in the Department of Conservation's Waikato Conservancy. It was established in 1992 to preseve the marine habitats found between and around Motukorure, Moturoa, Motueka and Mahurangi Islands.
The Māori name Te Whanganui-A-Hei (the Great Bay of Hei) refers to Hei, a tohunga from the Te Arawa waka. According to tradition, Hei chose the area around Mercury Bay as home for his tribe, proclaiming ownership by calling Motueka Island "Te Kuraetanga-o-taku-Ihu" (the outward curve of my nose.) It is said he made this claim near the site of the present-day of Hahei.
Cathedral Cove is named after the cave located there linking Mare’s Leg Cove to Cathedral Cove. Gemstone Bay and Stingray Bay are also located within the reserve. A walking track exists from the northern end of Hahei Beach, and it is also possible to walk from the local authority car park at the top of the headland between Hahei and Gemstone Bay.
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