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National | Rena

Leaders upset after iwi withdraw opposition to the removal of Rena

Bay of Plenty iwi leaders are upset some tribes have negotiated deals with the owners of the Rena wreckage and withdrawn their opposition to the wreck being removed from Astrolabe Reef.

Members of Te Patuwai who have links to Motiti Island have said no to a sum of $750,000.

Joe Harawira (Patuwai, Ngāti Awa) has the right to agree or disagree on issues concerning the island of Motiti.  The general feeling is that the ship needs to be removed.

Waiariki reporter, Mere McLean spoke to Raewyn Bennett of the Ngāti Makino Heritage Trust and she confirmed they have negotiated a deal with the Rena owners, who will invest in a marine Mātauranga Māori facility to be built in Maketu.

The owners of the Rena issued a statement saying some of these groups have withdrawn their opposition and have indicated their support for the application by the owners regarding the Rena.

Another tribal group that was approached by the owners was Ngāi Te Rangi of Tauranga Moana.  Awanuiarangi Black says that the issue on accepting terms from the owners was well debated by the tribal members.

Resource consent hearings for the Rena on whether to remove the wreck is set to take place in September.