New Zealand: 'Rena anger grows'

Seven days after the container ship broke up, the government faces calls for a royal commission of inquiry into the maritime disaster, reports Stuff. According to Green Party oceans spokesman Gareth Hughes, many questions on the grounding of the Rena, and the performance of Maritime NZ, including the agency's levels of disaster preparedness, funding and in-house expertise, remain unanswered.

"Ultimately, a royal commission of inquiry is ideal. We are talking about the worst-ever marine environmental disaster in New Zealand. The salvage is also likely to cost $300 million or more. As a maritime nation, it's important we have confidence in our ability to avoid accidents and also be prepared when accidents happen," Hughes said.