December 05, 2013
Rena results fail to convince iwi
Bay of Plenty Maori are skeptical of a new report showing the Rena disaster is unlikely to have a long term environmental effect.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council report summarises 24 months of environmental sampling since the Greek-owned container ship ran aground on the Astrolabe Reef in October 2011.
It says while the environment is still not at its pre-Rena state, initial concerns about the long-term impact of the oil spill on beaches and fisheries can mostly be put to rest.
Awanui Black from Te Moana a Toi says iwi have got such assurances before only to find out later it was not the case.
Kaumatua Hauata Palmer says the report should not be used as an excuse to leave any part of the wreck on the reef, as the owners are now trying to do.
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