The Government is partially opposing a consent application by the Rena owners to leave the wreck of the cargo ship on Astrolabe Reef.
Two Motiti Island groups want the wreck of the vessel which ran aground on the reef, off the coast of Tauranga, in October 2011 to be removed and have taken their case to the Waitangi Tribunal.
A community trust formed by the owners of the ship is applying to Bay of Plenty Regional Council for resource consent to leave behind what's left of the container ship and its debris.
The Crown's submission opposes the application to leave the bow section of the Rena where it is, sitting currently on the top surface of the reef at shallow depths, along with any associated parts of the wreck and debris to a depth of 30 metres.
Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson said the Crown believed the bow section and debris field in waters down to 30 metres should be removed as thoroughly as possible.
The Crown's submission also proposes enhanced monitoring and consent conditions for those parts of the wreck site below that water level.