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Regional | Motiti

Rena removal looks highly unlikely

It looks as though Tauranga iwi may have to wait another year until they receive a decision about the removal of the Rena wreck from their backyard.

At an urgent Waitangi Tribunal hearing in Tauranga which started yesterday, iwi were frustrated to find back-door deals going on between Govt and the ship owners.

Today, a second iwi group from Motiti Island have also expressed their frustration of being alienated from the negotiation table.

According to Kereama Hoete, “The way Motiti has changed, there is only a small number there, I'm the elder, there is only a few of us who are looking after and supporting the island.”

Last month, owners of the Rena applied for resource consent to leave the remains of the Rena on Astrolabe Reef.

For the Motiti Rohe Moana Trust, it's a decision that has caused frustration for the well-being of the community.

Ngāti Takahanga ki Motiti descendant Taro Haimona says, “The mauri has been affected and so the only way to bring it back is to remove it.”

It's unclear on when the recommendations will be released by the panel of Waitangi Tribunal members, however the resource consent regarding the Rena closes on August 8.