The leaders of Tauranga Moana iwi say there has been huge support from members wanting to help in the clean-up effort of oil deposits from a grounded container ship.
The Rena, owned by Greek company Costamare Shipping, was heading towards Tauranga from Napier when it ran aground on 5 October carrying 1700 tonnes of fuel and more than 1300 containers.
A spokesperson for Ngati Pukenga, Awanui Black, says at least 1000 Bay of Plenty iwi members have volunteered to help with the clean-up effort of oil deposits and debris.
He says after a call was made to people in Tauranga 120 people turned up ready to be directed to where they were needed and at least 100 volunteers are making themselves available every day.
Mr Black says Motiti Islanders have banded together to help with the clean-up operation and were supported by about 30 iwi members who were sent to the island.
He says the Whareroa marae in Mount Maunganui was full to overflowing on Friday afternoon when iwi from Bay of Plenty and Hauraki gathered to discuss the environmental disaster.
Mr Black says it is the sixth gathering in the past nine days and each one has been packed. They have all followed a similar pattern from people wanting to know what is going on and what they need to do.
