Mayor names her seven wonders

A search for the top seven wonders of the Waikato starts and ends right here on the Coromandel for Thames-Coromandel District Mayor Philippa Barriball.

Regional council Environment Waikato is calling for residents to help them celebrate the amazing natural features of the Waikato region by nominating their favourite spot (visit www.ew.govt.nz) and TCDC Mayor Barriball said it took no time at all to list her top seven – all of which are right here in the Coromandel.

The Mayor’s top seven are:

1. Cathedral Cove

2. Hot Water Beach

3. Pinnacles

4. Moehau

5. New Chums Beach

6. Ohinau Island

7. Thames Coast

“And why? Because they are not replicated anywhere else in New Zealand much less the world!” she says.

“Cathedral Cove is more outstanding than the iconic White Cliffs of Dover. Hot Water Beach is already the eighth wonder of the entire world. The Pinnacles easily competes with Montserrat. Moehau is way better than Pirongia and has as much indigenous flora and fauna as Maungatautari.

“New Chums is as kiwi as a beach can get: white sand, pohutakawa and hardly even a footprint on it much less another human being. Ohinau combines a treasure trove of history with a real life example of what they are trying to re-create at Maugatautari. And the Thames Coast - well, it was good enough for an international mercedes ad, I think that says it all!”