Understanding the scale of the weather event impacts for Hauraki Coromandel

Kia ora,

Having spoken to many industry business owners and operators since last week's severe weather event, we are aware that the scale of the impact for our industry varies by community and business type. That said, it would seem that not many have come through this without some kind of damage or impact - and you have all been in our thoughts.

We have been working closely with both Councils, NZTA, DOC and other key stakeholders to ensure consistent information has been shared, and have published an updated map that shows travel times to help visitors understand the potential time the diversions may take. We will continue to update the maps as roads reopen.

This newsletter provides a brief update on what we are now working on to promote Hauraki Coromandel in the coming weeks, and a survey to help us understand the scale of the impact.

If you are needing any urgent help, support or advice, please do reach out and we'll do our best to assist where we can.

Kia kaha,

Survey to better understand the scale of impact

DHC has been proactively working with both Councils, DOC, NZTA and the Tourism and Hospitality team at MBIE to help build a picture of the scale of impact from the weather event, and identify what short and longer term recovery looks like.

We have some robust data and insights from previous weather events that help to demonstrate the wider economic impact from road closures, damages to visitor infrastructure, etc.

To help us present a more informed picture about the here and now, we are asking all our tourism businesses across the Hauraki Coromandel area to complete our short survey. It is only 10 questions and will take less than 5 minutes... but will be incredibly helpful to support our advocacy for central government support.

Please feel free to reach out to us if you would like to share any more detailed information.

Click here for Survey

Encouraging visitors to return to our place...

Whilst there are still significant levels of roading fragility across the region, we know that many businesses are open, trading as usual, and keen to see visitors return.

As such, we are finalising some awareness activity that will kick off shortly.

By highlighting what is open and accessible, and showcasing the moments and the magic of our place, we aim to encourage visitors to return safely and considerately.

We will be using the #WhereKiwisHoliday tagline and will have shareable social media tiles ready for you to use in your own activity from next week. Please email Casey to request tiles.

Our international campaign activity is ongoing, with the KiwiNorth campaign in full swing in Australia. Early campaign reports show significant conversion rates which is a positive sign. We are refining our content slightly to address some of the weather-event related impacts, but continue as a full participant in the campaign. We are hosting two influencer famils in February, both of whom are doing a campervan self-drive mission around the North Island, with each having three days in market here in Hauraki Coromandel.

Get involved in KiwiNorth...

Hauraki Coromandel is a partner region in this campaign, funded by $2.5m from Minister of Tourism and Hospitality.

Marketing activity has started and will run through until May 2026. Under the 'Find your North' tag, the campaign started with a focus on urban escapes, food and beverage, walking and cycling. From March, messaging will evolve to focus on Wellness and rejuvenation, Stargazing and dark sky, and Autumn/winter travel.

Campaign activity includes Trip Advisor and Viator promotions, Expedia features, influencers and social media activity, and promotion via Campermate. Qantas and Air New Zealand are the airline partners for this campaign, which has a clear objective to grow arrivals into North Island gateways by 30 June 2026.

There are many opportunities for you to get involved and benefit from this campaign.

VIATOR: Trip Advisors booking partner is Viator. Viator feeds 6,000 booking sites including the biggies (Trip Advisor, Booking.com, Expedia) – both B2B and B2C. Selling through them does come at a cost (ie commission). You can read more about it here - or contact us and we can send you some further information about what's involved to list.
EXPEDIA: Is another OTA to consider... they don't take all the Viator product and do supply content to Qantas, Jetstar and AirNZ.
CAMPERMATE: We will have a selection of Hauraki Coromandel content on Campermate - including activities, food and beverage, and camping sites (both paid and free).
KIWI NORTH SITE: We will be feeding deals into the Kiwi north website (via TheCoromandel.nz).

As always with all campaign activity we suggest keeping your packages/offers (suggest not using the word 'deals', especially in peak season) up to date and have them live on both newzealand.com and thecoromandel.nz For more info on uploading deals contact Megan.

In case you missed it...

GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL - Kaitiaki has boosted on-the-ground predator control in Hauraki Coromandel with the gifting of two AT20 self-resetting traps to support biodiversity at two ecologically significant sites -Pūkorokoro Shorebird Centre and Mautohe Cathedral Cove.
The traps, along with lure and top-up supplies, were gifted through GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL - Kaitiaki, which connects tourism with tangible conservation outcomes across the region.

Travel writer, Alexia Santamaria, published an excellent story on Stuff earlier this month, sharing her trip to Coromandel via the Explore Ferry.

Hosted collaboratively with Thames Coromandel District Council and Explore Group, Alexia's visit and subsequent article showcases the ferry service, and a selection of activities visitors can enjoy without needing a vehicle.

There have been two in-region episodes of "Find my Country House" air this month on TVNZ.
Chris and Undina were hunting for a family home in Thames, and Matt visited Driving Creek Railway whilst here. Psychologist Beryl was looking to upsize in Thames, and Matt had some time on the water with Dive Zone in Whitianga.
Find the episodes on TVNZ+.

As we move from Response to Recovery, Thames-Coromandel District Council has opened their Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund, and Hauraki District Council will be announcing details of their programme shortly. It is expected that small business owners, and not-for-profit organisations who have suffered financial hardship because of damages caused by the weather event, will be eligible to apply. Check the Council websites for details.

Still time to register for eXplore Trade Show

7 May 2026 - Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland - Registrations OPEN now!

Each year, over 100 tourism operators from eight Central North Island regions come together with tourism sellers at Eden Park, Auckland for the annual eXplore Show, a cornerstone event on New Zealand’s tourism trade calendar.

DHC is inviting tourism businesses interested in growing their international client base to consider attending. The eXplore Show is an ideal starting point for new connections, as well as a valuable opportunity for established operators to maintain and strengthen existing trade relationships.

The event attracts a wide range of travel partners, from product buyers and decision-makers at inbound and wholesale companies to frontline staff from i-Sites, retail travel agencies, and inbound/wholesale operators, along with Tourism New Zealand trade and media teams. In past years, buyers have flown in from across the country and Australia to attend - and there are already more than 100 buyers registered to attend.

Exhibitors have the valuable opportunity to network with other local products, attend a business development workshop, and at the show establish important sales contacts, making it an essential part of your annual marketing strategy.

Be sure to set aside two days (6 & 7 May 2026) to attend this event, for travel, setting up your stand, exclusive exhibitor business sessions on May 6th, and exhibiting at the eXplore Show itself on May 7th.

DHC commits to this event every year and would love you to join us. Find out more here or download the prospectus and registration form. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Note: Payment for eXplore isn't due till March 2026. Exhibitor Registrations close 20 February 2026.