A marine reserve north of Auckland could have 1000 houses built on its shores if a development company has its way.
Okura Land Holdings Ltd is going to the Environment Court next to appeal a decision by the Auckland Council to knock back the development.
Long Bay Okura Great Park society spokesperson Teresa Moore said that number of houses would cause silt and heavy metals to go into the Okura Estuary.
"Basically, it is going to be the death of the marine reserve if we can't actually win this case because there are so many pollutants and activities that could happen that can affect the whole biology of the marine reserve."
Teresa Moore said the group has set up a Givealittle page and is asking people to sell raffle tickets to raise another hundred thousand dollars to pay for legal costs.
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