A group opposed to the Marine and Coastal Area Act has launched a campaign to have the act replaced through a referendum.
The Coastal Coalition has a year to gather sufficient signatures needed to guarantee the referendum.
Its petition asks: Should the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 be replaced by legislation that restores Crown ownership of the foreshore and seabed?
Spokesperson Hugh Barr says the latest legislation makes it too easy for iwi to claim private ownership of the foreshore and seabed.
He says ordinary New Zealanders will not have free and public access to many coastal areas.
The coalition needs to collect the signatures of at least 10% of enrolled voters for the referendum to go ahead.
