The Bay of Islands man caught up in a political controversy says the number of people disgruntled by his activities is small.
The Green Party has accused Northland MP John Carter of shepherding clauses into a lands disposal bill in order to enable Opua boat-yard owner Doug Schmuck to use a small public reserve on the waterfront for his business.
Some locals say that, in effect, it expands the boat-yard onto public land.
But Mr Schmuck told Radio New Zealand's Checkpoint that he only uses the land to access a slipway, and that he doesn't support commercial use of public land unless it is justified.
Mr Carter says the Reserves Act has prevented Mr Schmuck from legalising the slipway and it's time the costly problem was solved.
Proposal to combat criticism
The chairman of Parliament's primary production select committee, Shane Ardern, says members agreed to hear submissions from Mr Schmuck because they felt he had a case.
He says Mr Schmuck had been sent around in circles by councils and the Department of Conservation, at great personal expense, and had appealed to Parliament for help.
To combat criticism, Mr Ardern says, the committee will now propose that anyone can apply for easements over the reserve in question.
But Green Party co-leader Russel Norman says that even when the amendment is made, Mr Schmuck will be the only real beneficiary.
