Owners of the Rena have confirmed they will seek resource consent to allow the wreck's remains to be left on the Bay of Plenty seabed.
Senior representatives of the Rena's owner and insurer will be back in New Zealand this week meeting with Iwi and community representatives to communicate their final decision to lodge an application for resource consents to seek to allow the remains of the Rena where they lie.
Lodgement is expected between the end of March and May 2014. The exact date is uncertain due to significant difficulties with the planned removal of the accommodation block, which despite many months of preparation has not yet progressed due to marine conditions at Astrolabe (Otaiti) reef this summer.
Commenting on behalf of the owner and insurer, Captain John Owen, of the Swedish Club said: "The decision was reached after extensive engagement over 18-months on the future of the wreck with iwi and representatives of the Bay of Plenty communities, including several extensions to Resolve Salvage & Fire's scope of work since July 2012.
"The application will include an assessment of environmental effects and will provide interested parties with a comprehensive body of information on the proposal for the future of the wreck - including proposed conditions in relation to environmental monitoring, wreck access and shore management, if consent is granted.