National MP Simon Bridges has described Labour's announcement that it will demand full removal of the Rena wreck as "pointless posturing".
Labour leader David Cunliffe made the announcement during a visit to Tauranga yesterday.
"In our view, it is an insult to the people of Tauranga, an insult to local iwi and insult to our environment to leave that potential toxic wreck on that reef," Mr Cunliffe said.
"A Labour government will clean the reef up. We will make the Rena's owner (Daina Shipping Company) pay through any means possible. Simon Bridges said that in an 'ideal world' the Rena would be removed completely. Labour will make that ideal world a reality."
However, Mr Bridges said the decision should be made by the environment court, not politicians. "It shows he (Mr Cunliffe) is not yet ready to be the Prime Minister. He is just an out-of-town politician trying to obtain local relevance." Mr Bridges said he did not think traditional Tauranga National voters would be swayed by the announcement.