A kaumatua on Motiti Island, which is only 7 kms from the foundered vessel Rena, says it's currently too dangerous to start cleaning up the oil and debris covering the coastline.
Graham Hoete says there were huge swells on Friday and the "horrid" smell of oil was being blown by the wind on to the island.
He says there is a huge variety of debris strewn around the share, including timber and rubbish.
Mr Hoete says he'd like to see nets put on the beach at low tide so locals can clean up the rubbish and place it in the nets ready to be airlifted off the island.
