Changes to the Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection Bill have been labelled a betrayal of Aucklanders

While the bill includes establishing 19 new marine protection areas in the gulf, it also allows for some commercial fishing to take place in them.

World Wildlife Fund New Zealand has written an open letter to the Prime Minister, urging him to reverse the decision.

Chief executive Dr Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, says allowing ring-net fishing in these areas makes a mockery of the bill.

She says the whole point of these news areas is to provide a safe haven for species, fish stock and habitats on the brink of collapse.