Power row talks ease route threat

The two sides in a row over whether a 255-tonne transformer can get to the Huntly Power Station have agreed to talk but a marae group demanding $4.5 million "compensation" says it may still blockade the route across the Tainui bridge.

Travel delays have temporarily averted a clash between the group and police escorting the transformer.

Huntly's Waahi Whanui Trust members vowed to stop traffic crossing the bridge in protest at what they claim has been a lack of consultation and recognition from Genesis Energy, who are shipping the load as part of the power station upgrade.

But delays navigating the 13-axle 208-wheel flat-deck truck through Papakura and Drury have postponed its arrival at Huntly until Monday morning at the earliest.
Negotiators trying to avert the protest have used the time to work towards a meeting between Genesis and the trust. Genesis spokesman Richard Gordon said plans were under way to schedule a meeting between Genesis chief Murray Jackson and the group early next week.

"If they want to have a meeting and talk in good faith I would hope they call off their protest."

He said Genesis had met all resource consent obligations, and members of the community with concerns should have voiced them at the time rather than at the "11th hour".

Trust chairman Taitimu Maipi said he was prepared to discuss concerns, but would decide at the weekend on continuing the blockade.

He has suggested that 1 per cent of the $450 million cost of the power station upgrade should be paid to his group as compensation for having the plant "on our doorstep".

Waikato District Mayor Peter Harris, who lives in Huntly West, supports Genesis and says the threat of protest is "stupid" and "mindless".

He said Genesis had been a wonderful community partner and had assisted with a number of facilities in the town, particularly spending millions on upgrading the bridge.

He was adamant the blockade would not prevent the shipment.

"We can't have people sabotaging the efforts of other people. It won't be blocked. The load has to go across and the police will deal with it."

Meanwhile, Waahi Marae member and Tainui MP Nanaia Mahuta has distanced herself from suggestions that the marae demanded $200,000 to support a temporary bypass across marae land. "We held a number of discussions, but no dollar figure was put forward."

Asked if she supported the blockade, Ms Mahuta said she believed Genesis had not fulfilled its obligation to local marae. "I know the concerns we have put on the table for Genesis were not considered fairly. I think Waahi Whanui will do whatever is necessary to ensure fair consultation."

Huntly farmer David Payne, whose farm borders the power station, said residents had been steamrollered by the company into accepting the upgrade. "They have consultation, but they [Genesis] tell you how it is."