A proposed marine reserve around Waiheke Island has received support from the Hauraki mayor.
The group Friends of the Hauraki Gulf presented the bid at a Hauraki Gulf Forum meeting on Monday.
The reserve would cover an area of 242.6 hectares from Hekerua Bay to Thompson Point.
Hauraki District mayor and forum chairperson John Tregidga says the gulf's marine life is deteriorating and creating a marine reserve would help stop that.
Mr Tregidga says he supports the proposal, but it still needs to go through a formal application process and receive public submissions.
Only 1% of the Hauraki Gulf consists of marine reserve, he says.
