A cute trick by Nick Smith to hustle some of the HMNZS Tamaki land out of reserve status has cost the Government Labour's support for advancing the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Bill before the election.

Labour local government spokesperson and Auckland Central MP Judith Tizard announced the decision today.

"I regret that the Minister has forced us to do this because Labour has put a great deal of work into the bill and agrees with its central principle which is to provide a forum for the co-ordinated management of the Hauraki Gulf.

"But we cannot accept a late Supplementary Order Paper from the Government which appears to circumvent the court ruling that the whole HMNZS Tamaki area at Takapuna Point should be held as reserve.

"The SOP maintains reserve status for the coastal strip and the land the historic buildings are on but seeks to exclude the rest of the area.

"Labour believes strongly that the whole area should be held in public ownership as a reserve and will meet with local supporters of the reserve to assure them of our support for advancing that after the election," Judith Tizard said.

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