Huntly convoy catches Maori protest napping

The protest group set to block off a Huntly bridge in a bid to force Genesis to the negotiation table over the upgrade to the Huntly Power Station has blamed a communication breakdown for missing a shipment of a 255-tonne transformer.

Waahi Whanui Trust chairman Taitimu Maipi said the group had been misinformed on when the transformer was due to arrive in Huntly, and that there was an expectation the shipment would be delayed until after a meeting scheduled and held yesterday morning.

"We thought it was coming across on Tuesday morning. We had no idea it was coming across this morning ... someone rang me at about 4am, and said: 'Hey it's here'."

Mr Maipi said he was disappointed to have missed yesterday's shipment and vowed the same would not happen again.

"There are another three due to cross in November, we missed this one, but there are more to come across. Today's [Monday] meeting gave us some positive outcomes, to start addressing the issues in a serious way."

A follow-up meeting is planned for this Friday.

Trust chief executive Hori Awa said four issues were tabled at the meeting held in Huntly with Genesis chief executive Murray Jackson, and other senior managers including a review of the relationship between local iwi and Genesis, and the creation of a development fund for the Huntly community.

They also discussed the creation of an independent body to research and monitor the impact of the power station on the area and the issue of compensation to be paid to the four marae and 30 families who are directly impacted by the upgrade.

"Genesis are considering our proposals now. We need to talk further to determine figures."

Mr Awa said he was joined by Mr Maipi, Former Tainui co-chairman Tuku Morgan, Tainui MP Nanaia Mahuta and her sister Tipa, and representatives from eight marae at the meeting.

"If someone wants to refuse this group, well, it was a fairly formidable negotiating team."

Mr Awa said Genesis were receptive to suggestions, however, further detail would be hammered out in subsequent meeting.

"We know there are at least three more shipments coming, and we won't be sleeping next time."

The transformer left the Auckland wharves on the night of Monday September 26 and was reported as making laborious progress southward.

On Friday night the load on its 208-wheel trailer was parked up at Pokeno - 54km south of Auckland - so it would not interfere with the weekend traffic.

However, the journey was resumed at 9pm on Sunday and made the 50km to the station in only seven hours. Genesis spokesman Richard Gordon said the company did not sneak the load through and had been open about laying up at Pokeno until Sunday night.

"The load got down to Huntly so swiftly because we didn't have to keep stopping to put up temporary bridges along the route like we did on the Auckland-Papakura section."

Mr Gordon said executives believed yesterday's meeting was useful but would not comment on the matters being discussed.