A group of Tauranga Māori are warning reckless waterskiers to improve their behaviour - or old vehicles, nets and other barriers could be thrown in their way.
Five hapū are objecting to a new ski lane between Rangiwaea and Matakana Islands, to the northwest of Mount Maunganui.
Some of the residents are threatening to throw nets and other barriers in the paths of misbehaving waterskiers.
Residents say water skiers are misbehaving (file photo). Photo: 123RF
Lee Taingahue, a resident on Rangiwaea Island, told Morning Report they're making a submission to the review of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council's navigation bylaws today.
She said locals had no problem sharing the island, but the waterskiers were pushy thrill-seekers who lit fires, took fuel and used the island as a toilet.
"We are really hōhā, we're a community that's under siege. People light fires and they take off when they see us coming," she said.
"They use our islands as toilets, they camp, they're really disrespectful of our islands and our people."
"We've just had enough of it" - Lee Taingahue
Ms Taingahue says the ski lane between Rangiwaea and Matakana Islands is a disaster waiting to happen.