Brian Rogers Rogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz

The All Blacks go into their final against France this weekend knowing that one province has gone overboard with the 'Paint it Black” theme.

Having our beaches and coastline smothered in black wasn't quite what the promoters had in mind. It's not our idea of a clever promotion, but hey, the Bay should at least win a prize for best black out.

As the Rena saga oozes into its third week, the community is showing incredible strength in pulling together to deal with this scourge.

We salute those brave salvors who are risking their lives to painstakingly pump oil off the ship to save our coastline further flogging.

Also to the folk on Motiti Island, who are affronted on all sides by this insidious poison. The island's clean living lifestyle is supposed to be an idyllic escape from pollution, crowds and drama – yet they've had the worst of it thrust upon them, no fault of their own. We wish Motitians well and hope they get all the resources necessary to overcome the slick.

While many are concerned for the state of our beaches and the sight of black waves crashing at the surf line sickens us all, one factor that has been overlooked is the effect on the rocky shorelines – such as Motiti – and the outer islands of Plate, Schooner, Whale and White.

The beach seems reasonably straight forward to clean up. Just a matter of huge people power, a lot of rakes and spades and a lot of painstaking time. But the rocks are a different matter.

Cleaning Rena's spillage from the rugged coastline, rockpools and boulders is a daunting challenge. It is impossible to get into every nook and cranny; under every boulder. The effect of the black ooze on those habitats is going to be a lot harsher and more devastating long term.

Yet the beaches seem to be attracting all the attention, especially from the simple minded national media.

One interesting observation is the low priority Rena seems to have drawn from Auckland and the relatively low hit rate on the Herald news website. Especially compared to the nationwide Stuff site, Aucklanders seem considerably less concerned about the Rena disaster than the rest of New Zealand.

Could it be the shallow jafas are more interested in the rugby or just not really interested unless it impacts on them?

Our SunLive reporters have noticed a steady decline in the number of national and international media following the story and attending news conferences. It seems the interest outside of the Bay is waning as the days tick by.

Meanwhile local MP Simon Bridges is keen to get the message out there that Tauranga is still open for business.

'Tauranga people that I meet every day are much more positive and up-beat than many out of the Bay of Plenty would realise.

'We are getting on with the clean-ups that have happened and will continue to be required and we want New Zealand and the world to know we are still open for business.”

I like the fact that MP Bridges is trying to put the picture straight, as the impression nationally and internationally is that the Western Bay has been paralysed by this event.

It is clear some businesses will be significantly affected and it is good to see some pro-active support for these already.

Let's hope the window of fine weather during the weekend gives salvors the break they need to bleed the sucker dry and save our coast and harbours from further pollution.

Wouldn't it be great to start next week with a dry ship and a new rugby cup?

Parting shot:
Quote of the week has to be Graeme Butler of the wildlife watching vessel Gemini Galaxsea, commenting on SunLive about oiled seals:
'The difficulties of three guys in a little DOC boat rescuing seals off Plate Island would be like shoving butter up a porcupine's arse with a hot pin – fairly hopeless.”