An elder of Ngai Te Rangi iwi doubts the tribe will lodge an appeal against the Port of Tauranga being given permission to dredge the harbour to provide access for bigger container ships.
The Environment Court has upheld a decision by a panel of commissioners to grant the port company consent to deepen the harbour to a maximum of 17.4 metres and to widen it.
Hauata Palmer from the iwi says the runanga hasn't met to decide whether or not to appeal.
But he says legal advice from the tribe's counsel holds the view that, because the iwi has been through a hearing process twice and lost, going to be appeal doesn't serve any useful purpose.
The iwi is concerned removing 15 million cubic metres of material will damage pipi beds and part of the rock shelf near Mauao or Mount Maunganui.
