The Environmental Defence Society says the owner of New Chums beach in Coromandel stills want it to go into public ownership.
The society says the owner, Coastal Land Trust Holdings, has withdrawn an offer to Prime Minister John Key to develop only part of the land behind the beach, and sell the rest to the Government at half-price.
The society's executive director, Gary Taylor, says the proposal has been withdrawn because it looked like it would be prematurely rejected because of the Christchurch earthquake.
Mr Taylor says he wants to give the Government time to consider a recent valuation, and involve other parties in the purchase.
