The chair of Ngai Te Rangi Runanga says tangata whenua in Tauranga are feeling helpless because there's little they can do to stop oil washing ashore.
The ship Rena ran aground off the coast of the city last week, and Maritime New Zealand estimates 350 tonnes of oil have leaked from the ship's fuel tanks, washing up on coastlines.
Residents say there's a thick coating of oil on rocks on Motiti Island and globules covering the beach at Papamoa, which are said to smell horrendous.
Charlie Tawhiao of Ngai Te Rangi says Maritime New Zealand is keeping Maori updated, which is helping them to deal with the feeling of being helpless - but it doesn't take away the frustration.
Mr Tawhiao says a hui is being planned with neighbouring tribes further down the coastline to talk about the risk of oil reaching their shores.
