Erin Brockovich backs fight for Marineland | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

The Friends of the Marineland group have made a positive dent in the legal costs they need to fight their cause with nearly half the 4000 raffle tickets they began selling last week already sold.

"It's going well so far," spokesperson Emily Otto said of what she called the first stage of raising the $12,000 needed as security against costs in their legal battle with the Napier City Council.

The group is trying to force the council to reconsider decisions which closed the iconic tourism attraction eight months ago.

Mrs Otto said the raffle, which had attracted support from several Hawke's Bay businesses, had been targeted to raise about $8000.

"And we have some other things planned to raise the rest."

The money has to be raised by November 28 and she was confident.

"We have had a lot of positive comments from a lot of people while out selling. People are really supportive and it's great to know we are not alone in this."

Mrs Otto said despite the costs involved there had never been any hesitation in continuing the push to get Marineland re-opened as a marine care park and education centre.

The latest international name to offer support to the group has been American environmental activist and consumer advocate Erin Brockovich, whose successful fight against a Californian energy company she claimed was polluting water supplies was made into a film.

In her brief email to Mrs Otto she wrote: "It really is like the credo 'it takes a village', and it will take all of us to make the future brighter - but it can begin with one so always remember the power of yourself as well."