One of Northland's most popular tourist spots, the Mermaid Pools near Matapouri, could be temporarily closed by a local hapū over environmental concerns.
The picturesque, turquoise tidal rock pools are enormously popular, drawing in tourists and locals alike.
But hapū Te Whanau ā Rangiwhakaahu is concerned about the degrading environmental, cultural and spiritual wellbeing of the taonga, known as Te Wai o Te Taniwha.
The hapū said in a statement that it intended to place a rāhui over the pools, and the access route over the Rangitapu headland at Matapouri Bay, to restore "the mauri of the taonga".