Media Release

11 October 1999

Hauraki Marine Park Bill only sleeping

New Zealand First MP Robyn McDonald is still firm in her resolve to defeat the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Bill in its present form.

Last week, at the dissolution of Parliament, National failed to get sufficient support for the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Bill to pass it into law. Labour withdrew its support at the 11th hour in a squabble over land at Takapuna Point in Auckland.

“This bill will not be passed in any government that New Zealand First are part of”, said Robyn McDonald. “There are big issues of representation, cost, further bureaucratic hurdles to development, and Hauraki Iwi also have issues with this proposal.”

New Zealand First’s opposition to the bill has been in response to the concerns of ratepayers, Hauraki iwi, farmers and both councils in the electorate.

“If MPs were listening to the concerns of the Coromandel that makes up half of the land mass and 2/3rds of the seabed and foreshore of this marine park, rather than the benefits to Auckland, they would vote against or radically change this legislation”, said Robyn McDonald”.

“Both Jenette Fiztsimmons and Murray McClean were to vote for this bill against the overwhelming opposition of Coromandel residents. The Coromandel must ask it self whether with such representation in their best interests will be served in any future government.”

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