Independent views By Brendan Horan

The Rena must go from our shores – locals do not want this wreck littering our pristine coast. We have had enough of the Rena disaster.

A Government order, which called on the ship owners to remove the vessel when it ran aground in October 2011, is still in force. Iwi groups and others locals are asking why the Government is now in discussions with the owners to leave much of the wreck on the reef.

The Government order has not been acted on; and the ugly remains of the wreck continue as a scar to our coast. For local Iwi, leaving the wreck on the Astrolabe Reef affects cultural and spiritual values – and they are not alone with these sentiments. Mayor Stuart Crosby and the local council want it gone, as do the many businesses that lost income and who are still battling for compensation. Mostly, this group feel strongly about the wreck, and want this bad memory being removed in total.

I call on our locally elected MPs, Tony Ryall and Simon Bridges to remove themselves from their ministerial roles and for a change to show some interest in local affairs. Listen to what your locals are telling you in respect to the removal of the Rena wreck; and keep to your Government's promise and the marine order it made to have this wreck removed in total.

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