Whanganui Maori remain fundamentally opposed to the diversion of water for the Tongariro Power Scheme but have decided to stop fighting Genesis Energy over the matter in court and resort to other methods.
The scheme produces about 5 per cent of New Zealand's electricity.
The state-owned energy company was given permission to divert water from the headwaters of the Whanganui River and other Ruapehu district waterways in 2001. A grouping of the Te Atihaunui a Paparangi, Tamahaki and Ngati Rangi iwi fought the massive energy company over the length of the consents in the High Court and Appeal Court until last year, when Whanganui Maori decided not to take the struggle onward to the Supreme Court.
Representatives of Genesis, Whanganui Maori and Ngati Rangi were in Wellington on Thursday for a hearing in the Environment Court. Judge Whiting confirmed that the diversions had consent to continue for 35 years.
That didn't mean Whanganui Maori had agreed to them, Whanganui River Maori Trust Board spokesperson Gerrard Albert said. They were still working toward ending the diversions altogether. "We haven't agreed, we haven't done a deal, no money has changed hands and there has been no mitigation."
Iwi signed a relationship agreement with Genesis. The parties are to discuss the health and well-being of the rivers, and Whanganui Maori want to steer Genesis toward alternative methods of electricity generation.
The relationship document was signed in March.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from Whanganui Chronicle
Council 'closer to the action' after shutting holdings company
“You need people there with commercial expertise and knowledge of the industries."