Hapu looks at pros and cons of oil exploration

The possibility of oil production in southern and central Hawke's Bay is inspiring hope of new jobs and with it the return of the "working generation" to Porangahau.

Oil companies Apache and TAG Oil are preparing to conduct a three-year seismic survey of a large area between Porangahau and Dannevirke beginning in early 2012.

The companies need to discover whether the oil they believe is below the ground would be enough to warrant full production and as yet can't say whether it would generate any extra employment for the local communities.

But for the Ngati Kere hapu, which hails from Rongomaraeroa marae in Porangahau, weighing up the pros and cons of the project is a must if they are to understand the possible impacts of the oil production.

Marae chairman Ahuriri Houkamau, who spoke at a hui with the oil companies at Porangahau last week, said there had been plenty of talk between hapu families about what stance to take on the issue.

"There have been a few emails going around since that meeting and not everyone is against it [oil production], we can see the benefits of it all."

"We understand that they take all the precautions possible but, as we have all seen, from time to time things do go wrong and that's what we are concerned about," he said.

"That land out there is more than just a patch of land, that is our home."

Mr Houkamau, who lived in Taradale, said it was likely there would be more formal hui with families from Ngati Kere, who were spread around the country.

The hapu would also accept advice from other groups and iwi that had been in similar positions with oil companies.

Mr Houkamau, who worked as a teacher at EIT Hawke's Bay, said he could see the potential for future employment.

"Ever since the shearing industry went into a slump, there haven't been many working-aged people that live in Porangahau. Many of us would like to go back there to live, but there's just the employment.

"I'm sitting on the fence on the matter, if you go and talk to someone else from the hapu, you'll get a different view. But for some families who want to come home, I know the possibility of work would be like a gift from the heavens."