Coromandel mangroves battle continues at Parliament

A move on the Coromandel that could make it easier to destroy mangroves is dividing the community. A bill, now before Parliament would over-ride the Resource Management Act and take the power to grant consents to remove mangroves away from the Waikato Regional Council and give it to the two local councils in the area, Thames-Coromandel and Hauraki District. Mangroves protect against coastal erosion and give habitat to native birds and fish, but their spread in harbours and estuaries does make access to the water difficult in some areas, particularly for boats.