Phil
GOFF
Labour Leader
21 October 2011 MEDIA STATEMENT
Motiti Island residents need support
The people of Motiti Island say they are still not getting the support they need from the Government as they struggle to
cope with the environmental damage caused by the Rena, more than a fortnight after it ran aground, says Labour Leader
Phil Goff.
Mr Goff viewed the damage to the shoreline first-hand when he visited the island today.
"There are containers washed up with their contents spewing out onto the beach. I saw timber strewn across the rocks and
bags of debris including animal hides, burger patties and what looks like rotten milk powder sitting in plastic bags
waiting to be taken away.
"The residents are mucking in and working round the clock to collect the rubbish. But they need more help from the
Government getting it off the island.
"They are distraught about what is happening to their land. They've been guardians of the island for generations and
they feel helpless because they're not getting the support they need to protect their precious environment from further
harm.
"They're angry that there was no action taken to get to oil off the wreck in the first few days when the weather was
calm.
"They wanted more help transporting volunteers to the island to clean up. They also wanted the option of using sphagnum
moss as an absorbent material to clean up oil and answers from the Government on how they are going to survive when
their main food source is polluted.
"The sea is the supermarket for Motiti islanders. They rely on the kai moana to feed their people. They want answers
about how long they'll have to wait before they can fish and gather shellfish again.
"I have asked the Government and Maritime NZ for answers to their questions. That's the least they deserve,” Phil Goff
said.
"Like many Kiwis, they want to know why they're paying the price for this disaster, why National did not have a rapid
response plan to deal with it and why it didn't pass legislation that would have boosted our liability cover.
"New Zealand taxpayers should not be picking up the bill for National's incompetence,” Phil Goff said.
ENDS