An accountant specialising in ‘Rena style' litigation of claims will be meeting affected Bay of Plenty businesses at the Tauranga Club today.

The meeting, open to all businesses and local accountants, has been organised by Nevan Lancaster and will feature a presentation by Gary McLoughlin of WHK Accounting.

Nevan Lancaster is the main coordinator of the Bay of Plenty business effort to seek insurance claims from the Rena disaster.

Gary is an experienced litigation consultant, advising on the valuation of claims.

'It's strange that these things always overlap with the containers falling loose and another meeting,” says Nevan.

'His presentation will assist local businesses and their accountants to identify losses due to the Rena spill and to prepare reports that will enable them to be compensated for these losses,” says Nevan.

In his talk Gary will outline different types of potential claims, procedural processes, information required in putting a claim together, substantiating a claim and commitment needed to pursue a claim.

There is no fee or obligation for the meeting at 4pm and it is open to all businesses and accountants that feel that they may benefit from Gary's expertise.

The oil spill flowing the grounding of the Rena on Astrolabe Reef on October 5, the marine exclusion zones, the closed beaches and the widespread publicity seriously affected many Western Bay of Plenty businesses reliant on seasonal incomes.

Many smaller Bay of Plenty businesses were left out of the loop concerning compensation for the losses they incurred and are taking matters into their own hands.

The announcement that they were forming such a group resulted in Rena's insurers The Swedish Club changing its stance on accepting business claims, and businesses are also contemplating a class action.

'It did hit some businesses really hard, but a lot of these businesses have been around 20-30 years and they will they will take the hit, but they will also be around to wait for a resolution, even if it does take a while,” says Nevan.

Date: Friday 23 March, time 4pm.

Venue: Tauranga Club @ Hotel on Devonport, Devonport Road, Tauranga

If you would like to attend please RSVP to Carolyn at Carolyn.stumpp@whk.co.nz