Coromandel residents lobby to save beach

Coromandel Peninsula residents will join Labour and Green Party politicians in a delegation tomorrow to try to persuade Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson to save New Chums Beach from development.

Representatives from the group Preserve New Chum for Everyone and from Ngati Hei will attend the meeting, organised by Labour Party leader Phil Goff.

Mr Goff wants the Government to buy land behind the isolated north Coromandel Peninsula beach.

"The bottom line has to be the preservation forever of the unspoilt and untouched nature of the beach. There is no place for development on, near or in sight of the beach," he said.

"The best guarantee of preserving New Chums is purchase by the Government and its inclusion in the conservation estate. I understand that the current private owners are prepared to negotiate and it is important that the Minister of Conservation acts as an advocate for her portfolio in this area."

Preserve New Chum for Everyone spokeswoman Linda Cholmondeley Smith, chairman Grahame Christian and Peter Tiki Johnston from Ngati Hei will attend the Wellington meeting, along with Labour's spokesman for the environment, Charles Chauvel, the party's acting spokesperson for conservation, Steve Chadwick, and Green MP Catherine Delahunty.

Ms Cholmondeley Smith said the meeting was a positive move and the group was grateful that Mr Goff was taking leadership on the issue.

Tangata whenua of the area were delighted with Mr Goff s support for preserving Wainuiototo, or New Chums, Mr Christian said.

* New Chums is the official name of the beach but some people refer to it as New Chum, as that was its original English name.

- NZPA