The owners and insurers of the MV Rena already look to have a battle on their hands just hours after signalling their intention to leave part of the wrecked cargo ship on Astrolabe Reef.
They propose leaving part of the wreck in place after removing contaminants and clearing or closing any hazards making the wreck unsafe for diving.
But a lawyer acting for a group of Bay of Plenty iwi said that if the owners could not secure the endorsement of iwi and residents, the matter was likely to land in the Environment Court.
If agreement could not be reached before a resource consent application was lodged, the owners might consider referral to the court, Robert Makgill said last night.
Mr Makgill believed there was a "good prospect" the matter would become a large court case.