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New Chums beach, Coromandel - Source: Close Up -
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Labour leader Phil Goff has joined a chorus of calls to stop development on one of New Zealand's most pristine beaches.
New Chums, in Coromandel's Wainuiototo Bay, has been judged one of the most beautiful deserted beaches in the world, but its owners have been given the go-ahead to build 20 houses on the site.
The Thames Coromandel District Council received more than 1000 submissions both for and against the development. One of those was from Goff.
He told TV ONE's Close up programme the issue was too important not to take a stand.
"It's no exaggeration to say that New Chums beach is probably the most beautiful, untouched, unspoilt beach in New Zealand and probably the world. That's a personal view.
"This is the one last accessible beach that has been left untouched. Let's leave it that way for our kids."
Lonely Planet and National Geographic both rated New Chums among the best deserted beaches in the world.
Goff said submissions on the project were overwhelmingly against the development.
Discussions are continuing between the owners and the Environment Defence Society.
He said the government should buy the beach, at a cost of $20 million, if other measures failed to stop the development going ahead.
"We should be doing whatever we can to leave it exactly as it is."
He's calling on environment minister Kate Wilkinson to put in place recommendations in a National Coastal Policy Statement to protect coastlines.
"For heaven's sake, your job is to be an advocate for the environment. Please make sure that you act on these recommendations ... that you add your voice to not develop this beach."
He said he would be happy to lead a delegation to the Wilkinson to "beg" her not to allow the development to go ahead.
In a Close Up poll of almost 10,000 people, 92% said they wanted special protection for beaches like New Chums.
Close Up contacted owner/developer John Darby to appear on the show, but he declined.
He has previously said the development would be done "responsibly".
