The Mayor of Tauranga
Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby
says two-and-a-half years after
the Rena sank, many small
businesses are still waiting for
compensation.
The owners of the ship, which
broke up after stranding on the
Astrolabe Reef in late 2011,
expect to complete the latest
phase of the operation to
salvage part of the shipwreck
today.
"From the last two-and-a-half
years since the grounding of the
Rena, the salvors and various teams have done an absolutely amazing job," says Mr Crosby.
"The removal of the accommodation block is technically very difficult – it's quite deep, the divers
have been in extreme conditions. So this is just another phase of the Rena saga, and I'm very
pleased to see another piece of it finally removed."
Mr Crosby wants to see the entire wreck gone.
"It's the clear view of local people, including local government and iwi, that that wreck should be
removed,"
From an environmental perspective most of the damage has already been done, says Mr Crosby –
but leaving the Rena where it is could impact the city's tourism industry for years to come.
It's been suggested the wreck could attract divers, but Mr Crosby says ships used as diving
attractions are prepared in advance, and the Rena wasn't.
Mayor Crosby was also worried over the impact of the wreck on the surrounding environment and
Tauranga's international reputation.
The cost of removing the wreck is enormous, and there is worry that the taxpayers of Tauranga
will have to pay for more. As Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby asked last year: "Is the cost of
removing it our problem? I would say no - it's their problem. We didn't ask for it to be grounded."
“There will be concern about the issue of remnants of the Rena being left in the Astrolabe by
some members of the community.”
He says he's also concerned about compensation for local businesses affected by the Rena.
“I for one, and I'm sure a number of others, would like to see those who have lost out
commercially are adequately compensated for their losses.”
And he's hoping the Rena isn't the only thing salvaged.
“I think one of the critical elements is our international reputation is restored, it took an absolute
hammering last summer,” Mr Crosby says.