BOP road blocked by activists

Protesters have blocked the road that connects Murupara and Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty, police say.

The blockade, by five Maori activists, was reported to police early this morning by a milk tanker driver, Inspector Bruce Horne of Rotorua police said.

By the time police had arrived another five or six protesters had joined the group and were using a truck and several cars to block the road.

The section of road that was blocked was about 15 minutes drive from Murupara, Mr Horne said.

Police from Murupara and Rotorua, as well as local kaumatua, were at the scene negotiating with protesters, who varied in age from young children to elderly people.

- NZPA