IMPORTANT MESSAGE 2
for people living in the Bay of Plenty - RENA - Ship Grounding
The elected members of the councils and the local Members of Parliament have all now been briefed on the situation unfolding in the Bay. We are very distressed and deeply concerned, as you are, with what is now happening to our beautiful coastline, our kai moana, and our ‘safe harbour’. We want you to know that the very best people are working on solving the complex problems this incident poses. As of yesterday we had the first landing of oil on our beaches and this naturally prompted an emotional response from people as well as lending us all a sense of frustration at not being able to do anything to stop it. There are professionally trained response teams who are being deployed to clean up the oil. Please do not be tempted to undertake your own clean up operation - no matter how tempting it looks to try. The oil may be toxic and sometimes trying to clean it up can cause more harm than good. There will be opportunities to volunteer and take action in the coming days and weeks but please let the professionals handle these initial deposits. We are confident that Maritime NZ is managing the situation with the best national and international experience at hand. As frustrating as it is for us locals - please listen to the radio, read the reports and/or go to the websites provided to ensure you are properly informed.
Oil response
Being informed
There has been oil washed up on the Mount beach. Over the next few days this could get worse and be on other beaches as well. Please do not touch or try to clean up the oil.
There are many ways you can keep informed with any updates:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/boprc Website:
However if you do want to assist you will need to be appropriately trained and given protective gear to do so. Maritime NZ will call for assistance in due course and will advise you where to register.
www.maritimenz.govt.nz/incident
Offers of assistance
Please call:
0800 OIL SPILL (0800 645 774)
Please email offers of assistance to:
iccrena@gmail.com
to report any oil spill that may not already have been noticed by the response teams.
Any sightings of wildlife with oil should be reported to:
0800 333 771
From left: Todd McClay, Te Ururoa Flavell, John Cronin, Hon Steven Joyce, Stuart Crosby, Hon Tony Ryall, Ross Paterson, Simon Bridges.
www.sunlive.co.nz or read the papers
Professional response teams have been coordinated to deal with it.
Wildlife response
Elected members and members of parliament being briefed on Rena.
Media Reporting: Listen to the radio, go to
Please do not try to clean up oil or handle the wildlife. This is because the oil can be toxic and harm your skin. Also the wildlife needs trained responders to handle them. Wildlife centres have been set up. If you want to volunteer to be part of the clean up, please call the number above.
If you want to report anything to the media centre then please call:
0800 774 554
Notice of Public Meeting The Tauranga public are invited to attend a public briefing on Tuesday 11th October at 7.00pm about the Rena grounding. The briefing will be led by Maritime NZ with other relevant agencies, and local elected officials Stuart Crosby Tauranga Mayor, Ross Paterson – Western Bay of Plenty Mayor, John Cronin - Chair BOP Regional Council and Simon Bridges MP, in attendance. Date: Tuesday, 11 October 2011. Time: 7.00pm Venue: Graham Young Youth Theatre Tauranga Boys College
Boaties information If you have been out in the Bay you might see oil on the hull of your boat. To clean your boat use a self service car wash or de-greaser and avoid letting the water run off into the stormwater drains or watercourses. Our best advice is to stay well away from Rena and the oil spill.