More than half the public submissions on a Coromandel marine farming plan oppose the scheme, but there's also a significant number in support.

Iwi organisation Pare Hauraki Kaimoana hopes to farm fin fish and other marine species in a 300-hectare, Hauraki Gulf-based marine farming zone.

Submissions on the plan closed last week – with points raised ranging from the impact on water quality to effects on other marine animals.

Of the 28 submissions, 16 were opposed and one opposed in part, says Waikato Regional Council.

However, another nine supported the plan and another supported it in part. One submission was neutral.

Common themes in the submissions included concerns about genetics, disease transfer, biosecurity, discharge of contaminants, navigational safety, sustainability of feed and effects on water quality, the environment near the sea floor, marine mammals, seabirds and wild fish, the council said.

Cultural, economic and social matters were also raised.

In an earlier statement, the council said an extensive process would ensure the environmental effects and views of the community on the proposed farm are considered.

This process would most likely include a hearing, and the council will appoint independent commissioners to consider all the views and expert evidence relating to this application. The panel would then make a decision to either grant or decline the consent.

Pare Hauraki Kaimoana is behind the push for the marine farm and, through Pare Hauraki Asset Holdings Limited, lodged a formal resource consent application with the council in December 2020.

The marine farm would be about 13.5 kilometres from Coromandel Town and 11km from Waiheke Island.

PHK is an asset-holding company of the Hauraki Māori Trust Board and Pare Hauraki Fishing Trust.

The organisation has a strong background in mussel farming already, a professional adviser to the project, lawyer Paul Majurey, said earlier this wee.

'We're no strangers to working in our ancestral waters,” says Majurey, who also chairs the Hauraki Collective of iwi.

'Our world views involve...a centuries-old relationship with Tīkapa Moana (the Hauraki Gulf).

'So we're very mindful of that, it's a pātaka (pantry) for us, it's also a taonga.”

-Stuff/Sharnae Hope.