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HAHEI: THE HISTORY...
The name of the settlement of Hahei is derived
from the Maori name for Mercury Bay, Te-
Whanganui-A-Hei, or ‘The Great Bay of Hei’.
Hei, one of 3 brothers of Kupe, settled in the
Hahei area, and became the ancestor of the
Ngati Hei tribe. However, in 1818 the Ngati
Hot on the ‘must see’ list for anyone coming
to the Coromandel...or living here...is
the stellar arched caves of Cathedral Cove,
accessible usually by water or hiking path
from Hahei or tour boats from Whitianga. This
stunning spot served as a filming location
for the movie The Chronicles of Narnia:
Prince Caspian. The set for the ruins of
the Cair Paravel was built atop the nearby
Hereherataura Peninsula.
Hahei Beach itself, lined with pohutukawa trees
and shielded by offshore islands, offers families
an ideal spot for swimming or snorkeling.
Prominently seen from the beach areas is
Mahurangi Island, lying at the edge of the Te
Whanganui-A-Hei marine reserve.
One of the best ways to explore the cove and
coast is by kayak or boat. Visit sea caves and
the hidden blowhole; interact with the local
marine life that may include dolphins, whales
and little blue penguins. Book your excursion
with visitor favourites Hahei Explorer or
Cathedral Cove Kayaks. And dive operators
can take you below the surface to some of the
coast’s finest dive destinations.
One can actually walk to Cathedral Cove; allow
at least two hours for the return trek and pack
adequate water, sunscreen, snacks, etc. The
carpark, located at the north end of Grange
Road in Hahei, is worth the drive even if you
don’t plan to hike. Great vista!
New this year is the Cathedral Cove WWI
Memorial Forest, which is being planted in
stages. Each tree honours a Kiwi killed in battle
with this large grove representing the costly
Gallipoli Campaign (see page 45).
The town of Hahei offers enticing cafes, great
shopping and accommodation. Check out
Beach Habitat for unique gifts, local art, cards
and more! Enjoy a yummy brunch and coffee at
the Hahei Beach Cafe or gourmet wood-fired
pizza, plus fine craft beers at The Pour House.
There are numerous B&Bs, baches, holiday
parks in the town plus a general store. For more
info visit
Hei were attacked by the Ngapuhi, and the
surviving Ngati Hei fled the area.
The history picks up in the 1870s, when ‘the
giant of Hahei’, Robert Wigmore, buys land
in Hahei, which included Cathedral Cove.
Wigmore and his family raised crops, and also
had a dairy herd. Magistrate of the district, he
carried out some official business in the fine
kauri home he built, which still stands.
In 1915, the Harsant brothers bought the
Wigmore property. Florence Marie Harsant was
a nurse/teacher and Maori Organizer for the
Women’s Christian Temperance Union. In 1918,
she gave up her ‘mission’ after the great flu
ravaged the country (she tried valiantly to save
Maori of the Tanoa area) and married Horace
Harsant. She then became a hardworking farm
wife and mother.
Florence wrote an engaging autobiography
of those years, They Call Me Te Maari,first
published in 1979. She died in 1994 at the age
of 102, and the community library she founded
still exists, sporting her name.
Read our feature stories about the Wigmores
and Harsants online at
Must ‘ Sea’
Water Spots
its beach, town, history ... and Cathedral Cove
Hahei...
CATHEDRAL
COVE
Photo by Ian Patrick
Hahei Beach
Opening Hours: 7 days (Labour Weekend - Easter) 10am - 5.30pm
Winter: 5 days (closed Tues & Wed) 10am - 3 pm
3/3 Grange Rd • HAHEI • 07 866 3033
COME IN AND BROWSE OUR EXTENSIVE GIFT RANGE
• wall art • prints and cards by Rachel Olsen and Charlotte Giblin •
• gorgeous NZ made skincare • paua & silver jewellery • stunning hats for summer •
• toys for all ages • cards • gift wrapping • exclusive range by studio k •
Our Deli provides our very popular Habitat condiments,
a collection of specialty foods and smallgoods and a selection of kitchenware.