Another Bay of Plenty iwi has backed away from challenging the plan to leave what’s left of the Rena on Otaiti-Astrolabe Reef.
Coastal Te Arawa have been criticised for striking a deal with the stricken ship’s owners and insurers to not object to their resource consent application.
Now Ngati Ranginui Iwi Society has confirmed it has signed a similar agreement with the Rena owners.
Chair Tawharangi Nuku says it was a tough decision but the iwi was aware of the immense difficulties associated with further work on the reef.
He says Ngati Ranginui did not wish to put any lives at risk, nor did it wish to put at further risk the environment which could occur if any additional removal works were undertaken.
Mr Nuku says it is time to forgive, to learn from this incident and to move on with the iwi’s relationship with the owner.
There were media reports at the weekend that iwi have been offered up to $750,000 each to drop objections to the resource consent application.
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