Tauranga-based Ngati Ranginui iwi is the second Maori association to announce it will not oppose the Rena owners and insurers desire to leave the remainder of the Rena wreck on the Astrolabe reef.

'We are aware of the immense difficulties associated with further work on the reef, and the iwi do not wish to put any lives at risk, nor do we wish to put at further risk the environment which could occur if any additional removal works were undertaken,” says Ngati Ranginui board chairman Tawharangi Nuku.

Pieces of the Rena remain where the vessel grounded in 2011.

'Ngati Ranginui respects the rights of other iwi to make their own decisions and do what is right for them. However, we believe it is time to forgive, to learn from this incident and to move on with our relationship with the owner.”

Ngati Ranginui is the second iwi to announce its decision.

Coastal hapu of the Rotorua based Te Arawa iwi said this week they have also withdrawn opposition to the owners and insurers resource consent application as a pragmatic decision – and that they will be establishing a coastal marine research facility as part of resource consent application restitution and mitigation proposals.

Ngati Ranginui has not said if it accepted a restitution and mitigation settlement. Tawharangi Nuku was in a hui today can could not be contacted.

'The decision has been a tough one but the important focus is now for the iwi to prepare ourselves to deal with other environmental and resource management issues in the future,” he says in the prepared statement.

The agreement comes after three years of intense negotiations.

Tawharangi says it signals the iwi decision to acknowledge the Rena incident and its impact on Tauranga Moana but heralds a significant decision to move on in light of the latest evidence from the reef.

'The Ngati Ranginui Board has reviewed all options and agreed that not pursing action through the upcoming hearing is the best option in a difficult situation.

'I wish to acknowledge the owner's representative, Mr Konstantinos Zacharatos, and his team and reflect that the meeting we held last week was an opportunity for both parties to reflect on the past years and to secure a constructive pathway forward.”

He also acknowledges the ‘significant personal and professional strain' the negotiation process has placed on both iwi and key individuals in the process, and thanks all those involved for their leadership and commitment to ensuring a long term outcome that takes into account all aspects of this complex situation.

The containership Rena struck Astrolabe Reef on October 5, 2011, subsequently spilling cargo and oil which fouled Bay of Plenty beaches, and broke up.

A lengthy salvage operation cut back the remains of the bow section, but about two thirds of the ship, including the accommodation block on the stern slipped into deeper water.

It now lies at about 50 metres.

Opinions from those in the salvage business are that continuing the salvage will cause considerable damage to the reef, take years in which the reef access will continue to be barred to the public, cost a huge amount of money, and may result in divers being killed.