June 22, 2015
Rena stance upsets iwi
Bay of Plenty iwi are upset coastal Te Arawa has broken ranks and struck a deal with the owners and insurers of the Rena to drop opposition to leaving what’s left of the stricken cargo ship on Otaiti-Astrolabe reef.
Te Arawa Coastal iwi spokesperson Raewyn Bennett says after getting expert advice her iwi were convinced that option is better for the environment.
They have negotiated conditions they want in any resource consent, and they also intend setting up a marine education centre.
But Buddy Mikaere, who has links to hapu on Motiti Island most directly affected by the wreck, says other iwi feel betrayed.
He told Radio Waatea host Willie Jackson the $750,000 offered to each iwi to drop their objections falls well short of a reasonable price.
"We’ll only sign up if they give us about $500 million because we understand that will be the cost of getting the wreck off the reef" he says.
Buddy Mikaere says because of the power of the Rena’s Swedish insurer in the industry, it is hard to find salvage experts willing to testify against the plan.
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