Motiti hapu Te Patuwai is claiming it is the Maori authority over Otaiti, Astrolabe Reef, where the wreck of the Rena lies.

On the opening day of the hearing which will decide whether the wreck stays on the reef, Chairman of Te Patuwai Tribal Committee Kereama Akuhata says the tribe, the tangata whenua of Motiti Island, has suffered most of all from the Rena disaster.

This picture taken in October 2011 shows the Rena from Motiti and the beginning of the oil slick that fouled the beaches. Photo: File.

Te Patuwai are among several groups objecting to the resource consent application by the Rena owners and insurers.

The owners offered Maori groups around the Bay of Plenty varying amounts of money to withdraw their submissions, and some took up their offers, including Te Arawa Ki Tai and Ngāti Ranginui.

Te Patuwai rejected an offer of $750,000, says Kereama.

Te Patuwai is particularly offended by Te Arawa Ki Tai, who have made claims they are the kaitiaki of Otaiti. He flatly rejects this.

'We are the tangata whenua of Motiti Island and hold the mana moana (recognized Maori authority) of Otaiti,” says Kereama. 'It has sustained our people for hundreds of years - culturally, physically and spiritually. Our tupuna fished and gathered kai here.

'My father fished here as a boy and heard the old karakia being uttered. His brothers, uncles, aunties, cousins and relations fished here – we still tell those stories of our best divers and fishermen/women who frequented this place.

'Simply put, this wahi tapu belongs to us. Te Arawa claiming they are kaitiaki is like us going to Whakarewarewa and claiming we're entitled to go penny diving.”

Importantly, Mr Akuhata said they were not only facing a battle against the Rena owners but other iwi groups and members from their own hapu.

Other groups claiming to speak on the tribe's behalf include the group who call themselves Korowai Kahui o Nga Pakeke o Te Patuwai and Motiti Rohe Moana Trust. The Te Patuwai Tribal Committee is the mandated body that speaks for the tribe, says Kereama.

He's encouraged that Te Whanau a Tauwhao, who can also claim to be tangata whenua of Motiti Island, is also objecting to the submission.

'I'm also of Te Whanau a Tauwhao descent so it's great to know they also want the Rena removed. We're also thankful for the support of Te Runanga o Ngati Awa.”

Mr Akuhata does not dispute the fact that traditionally many others enjoyed customary rights to the fisheries around Motiti.

'There are a number of tribes who have a right to speak on the resources of the reef but it is Te Patuwai who holds the mana moana of Otaiti,” says Kereama.

'Our objectives are simple. We want the removal of the Rena from Otaiti in its entirety and compensation for damage incurred.

'We believe there are still toxic substances left in the wreckage and this will impact on not only the present but future generations of Te Patuwai.

'We believe the mauri of the reef has been seriously affected and the restoration of that mauri cannot take place until the wreck is off Otaiti.”