By 3 News online staff
A Bay of Plenty hapu believes most tribes support their decision to reject a payout over the Rena disaster.
Hapu Patuwai has turned down $750,000 from the vessel's owner, Daina Shipping, to stop pushing for the shipwreck to be removed from Tauranga's Astrolabe Reef.
Hapu spokesman Kereama Akuhata says they won't be budging.
"I think the general feeling out there in Maoridom I believe is that we're taking a bold step here, rejecting that offer," he told RadioLIVE.
"The feedback on our Facebook [page] is quite conclusive – they're supporting our stance."
Three other tribes have turned down offers from Daina Shipping, but it's believed Rotorua-based Te Arawa has reached a deal.
Mr Akuhata says Patuwai is concerned at possible long-term problems if the Rena wreck stays on Tauranga's Astrolabe Reef, and what is lurking in the wreck.
"With what's inside the hull, the contaminants that are there… might give us issues later on."
Yesterday conservation expert Julian Fitter said it would potentially do more damage and risk lives to attempt to remove the wreck.
"Nobody has ever tried to remove a vessel of this size from that depth anywhere in the world."
3 News
source: newshub archive
