BLUEGREENS NORTHERN

5 September

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Bill & HMNZS Tamaki - MP'S Told To "Get On With It"

An appeal to MP's to ensure that public access to the 'grandstand' area of HMNZS Tamaki is not jeopardised by making it a political football has been made by Jim Holdaway, a spokesman for Bluegreens, the task force advising the National Party on environment and heritage issues.

He was commenting on an announcement today by Auckland Central Labour MP Judith Tizard that Labour will not support the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Bill because of a supplementary order paper which seeks to maintain reserve status on the coastal strip and historic buildings but excludes the remainder of the defence area.

"The people of North Shore in particular, and Aucklanders in general, are not interested in arguments about what may eventually happen to buildings and built up areas at what used to be the Narrow Neck military camp. What they want, and want now, is access to the so-called 'grandstand' area overlooking the gulf, as an ideal vantage point for watching the America's Cup races. And they have said in large numbers that they want the gulf as a marine park. I hope that MP's can put this politicking behind them and get on with giving the public what they want and are entitled to receive," said Mr Holdaway.

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