The Thames-Coromandel District Council has voted to continue investigating transforming the peninsula into New Zealand's first heritage region.

Five councillors initially opposed the proposal at Wednesday's meeting, but changes to the recommendation's wording were pushed through which has opened it up for further consideration.

The Thames-Coromandel District Council has voted to continue its investigation into making the peninsula New Zealand's first heritage region. Photo: File

Fairfax reports council has not adopted the Miles Media report, despite widespread speculation, while Mayor Glenn Leach said the ‘Coromandel Heritage Region' was merely a working title.

Commissioned by council, the Miles Media report lists the advantages of turning the Coromandel into an International Union of Conservation in Nature ‘Category V' protected landscape.

The protection would cover natural areas and Coromandel communities, and examples of protected landscapes can be found in Australia, Scotland, Japan, Spain, and the Lakes District in England.

The entire process is expected to be a long one, potentially taking months or even years.

However, some councillors were unsure of council's direction concerning the proposal and expressed views including that the process looked to be 'a little bit flawed” and that there were more questions than answers.

On the flipside, for Glenn and other councillors plus TCDC staff, it is about establishing a recognisable brand for the region that will last well into the future.

Coromandel Property Owners Alliance spokesperson Chris Vickerman says they are disappointed council voted to continue investigating the proposal.

But she is pleased councillors have listened to their concerns and expressed a desire to 'genuinely consult with communities”.

'For a plan with such far reaching consequences for everyone in this district, it is concerning that, up to now, the public have been left completely out of the loop,” says Chris.

'The only consultation so far has been in secret, by our mayor and councillors with other politicians from regional and central government.”

The CPOA has serious concerns about the costs of the plan, particularly extra layers of bureaucracy and extra controls on use of resources.

'We believe the vision and goals of protecting and promoting the natural and cultural values of the Coromandel can be achieved through good governance under the existing regulatory system and in meaningful consultation with Coromandel communities.”