A petition calling for the Government to hold the owners and insurers of the Rena to account will be launched at Mount Drury today.

Spokesperson for the ‘Remove the Rena' petition Pat Spellman says the launch at 4.45pm will be compact and straight to the point.

A piece of the sunken accomodation section of the Rena wreck is lifted from the water.

Pat says Tauranga City Council Mayor Stuart Crosby, who cannot attend due to a prior engagement, has issued a statement of support to remove the wreck.

'I have been consistent in my view that the Rena should be totally removed and a realistic sum of money be set aside by either the owner or insurer for ongoing environmental monitoring and clean ups,” says the Mayor in the statement.

Stuart's view point is shared by iwi spokesperson Buddy Mikaere, who will also speak at today's launch.

'The position has always been clear. We want it gone. This is a step in the right direction, and part of a long process.

'The iwi message is a united one - remove the wreck, and restore our moana.”

Mount Maunganui businessman Nevan Lancaster will also be speaking in his role as the chair of 'The Business Action Group - RENA', an organisation that represents 53 businesses and charities, who along with local iwi, are trying to get compensation for the losses suffered due to the Rena grounding.

'So far more than two years later we are still struggling for a fair go and the insurer's legal team have pledged to make obtaining compensation as difficult as possible.”

Local Independent MP Brendan Horan will also be at the launch, as well as representatives from the Labour Party - environment spokesperson Moana Mackey and local Tauranga candidate Rachel Jones, and Bay of Plenty candidate Clare Wilson.

The petition launch will start at 4.45pm and go until about 5.30pm.