A Waitangi Tribunal hearing challenging the Government's ability to make a deal on the Rena wreck's future without consulting Motiti Island residents is entering its final stages.

A three-day hearing held in Tauranga under urgency at the start of July challenged the Government's ability to make a deal with the Rena's owners and insurers over the wreck's possible future without specifically consulting with or informing Motiti Island residents of the intention.

A Waitangi Tribunal hearing over possible deals for the Rena wreck's future is nearing conclusion, with a decision pending.

Now the hearing is entering its final stages, with parties requested to file closings on all other matters no later than 4pm, on Thursday July 31, 2014.

Two Motiti Island hapu are claiming the Government's failed to consult, warn or inform them over consultations that led to an agreement with the container ship's owners and insurers over the ‘deed of settlement' is a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi.

The deed resulted in the Government being paid $27.6 million, with another $10.4 million to be paid if the remainder of the wreck can be left on the reef.

Currently, there's no direction or announcement from the Government about who gets the $10.4 million. The hearing ran out of time and was adjourned on July 2.

The tribunal gave parties until the following day (July 3), to file additional questions, and responses were to be filed by the following Monday (July 7).

Parties were given until Wednesday July 9 to file closings that address the Crown consultation process subsequent to the signing of the Wreck Removal Deed.

July 9 was also the deadline for closings relating to any issues relevant to Resource Management Act matters the Crown is to take into account when making its decision whether to submit in support, opposition, or to abide the decision of the resource consent application.

Parties are to file closings on all other matters no later than 4pm, Thursday, July 31, 2014.