Local hapu Ngai Tamarawaho and whanau own an urupa (burial site) opposite the intersection.
Mr Gliddon said there was ongoing consultation with the hapu and the council regarding land purchase and the impact of any large scale physical works near the urupa. Once a resolution had been reached, funding approval was required.
Sergeant Mike Owen said the ute driver was still awaiting multiple surgeries. Mr Owen said until he was better, the police would not be able to interview the driver to determine whether any charges will be laid. Ian Graham, the driver of the second logging truck, said the accident would put him out of work for six weeks.
"I'm pretty sore today," he told the Bay of Plenty Times yesterday. "I didn't get home until about 10pm last night.
"I had to get all the wood loaded on to another truck, then went to Rotorua Hospital. I didn't notice how bad it was until I started cooling down."
The damage to Mr Graham's truck appeared to be significant.
"It's pretty bad, the cab has to come off it, who knows what's happened underneath that.
" ... I've got to try and find a way to make some money, it's not going to be an easy Christmas."