The view of sunset on water is beautiful from Manurewa Marae but Rangi McLean hopes to see it with a white sandy beach instead of a mangrove jungle.
A resource consent has been granted by Auckland Council to remove some of the mangroves at two inlets on the Manukau Harbour.
One is Puhinui Creek, which runs beside the marae and Clendon.
The other clearing will be done on the Waimahia Creek, which flows through Weymouth and Wattle Downs, making a total of 19.4ha.
Mr McLean, the marae chairman, said he had spoken to people from the tribal area who recalled a white sandy beach 40 to 60 years ago.