Rena: Rally 'mourns' oil spill

A funeral procession for the local economy marched through Mount Maunganui on Sunday as people affected by Rena made their voices heard.

Six black makeshift coffins - representing the local environment, recreation, wildlife, employment, business and tourism - were pulled by a truck through downtown Mount Maunganui followed by about a dozen "mourners".

The rally travelled from The Mall, down Adams Ave and Marine Parade to Mt Drury, where a stand was set up enabling people to turn their frustration into action.

Organiser Rachel Rolston said the rally wasn't about protest but a chance to "move on".

"Let's start moving towards rebuilding this place again. Take all of that anger and convert it into something more constructive."

The coffins were part of the Rena mourning process, she said.

"This is the funeral stage. You know when someone dies there is that grieving process and you have a funeral and once the funeral is over you get over it and move on. That's what this is all about."

Ms Rolston is a dive instructor with Earth2ocean and has been among the local businesses negatively affected by Rena's impact.

The rally initially gained a lot of support from people but the event turned out to be a small affair.