Maori protesters threaten more road blocks

Maori protesters have threatened more road blocks in the Rotorua region unless they get a greater say in treaty negotiations.
The warning comes as the protesters met Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell yesterday to discuss their concerns.
The protesters blocked the main road between Murupara and Whakatane on Monday because they are upset over the $400 million "Treelords" deal.
The protesters, members of Tuhoe hapu Ngati Haka Patuheuheu, do not want Tuhoe group Te Kotahi a Tuhoe to represent them in these Crown treaty negotiations.
The Waitangi Tribunal rejected their earlier efforts to negotiate with the Crown themselves.
They have formed a group called Te Umutaoroa and say they are here for the long haul - and will resort to blocking the road again if their demands are not meet.
On Monday, the protesters used a truck and several cars to block the Galatea Rd connecting Murupara and Whakatane for nearly 15 hours.
Rotorua police were called to the scene 20km east of Murupara.
More than 20 protesters continued to occupy the land at the protest site today.
Protest spokesman Byron Rangiwai said Ngati Haka Patuheuheu elders met with Mr Flavell at Waiohou Marae to discuss their concerns.
He said the hui had been positive and the hapu felt there was movement on both parties.
"Te Umutaoroa is looking forward to progressing our issues which are beyond the Te Urewera National Park. After [this] hui, we are positive that some progress is being made around engagement between Te Umutaoroa and the Crown."
However, the shape and form of this progression was yet to be fleshed out and the hapu would occupy the protest site for the foreseeable future, Mr Rangiwai said.
There were no immediate plans to block roads but if the group did not get an opportunity to negotiate with the Crown - road blocks were still an option.
Mr Flavell said he was happy to talk with Te Umutaoroa and give them an update of what was happening between the Crown and Te Kotahi a Tuhoe.
He said there were a lot of issues to be discussed between both parties but he hoped that they could find a way to work together.
"The Maori Party are hopeful that all of Tuhoe will eventually come under the banner of Te Kotahi a Tuhoe."
Te Umutaoroa executive Hiraina Hana who was at the hui, said there was dissatisfaction within Tuhoe.
"The hapu's voices have been silenced and the people are sick of it, they are over it. We've been to court, we've been to the Waitangi Tribunal ... We've had no choice to go down those pathways because we can't even have decent mediation with our own people."
In June, the Waitangi Tribunal rejected the group's application to be separated from Te Kotahi. She said the hapu's frustration at not being heard had resulted in Monday's road block and if the Crown continued to ignore Ngati Haka Patuheuheu, road blocks could happen again.
"At the end of the day, you've got to accept they are an aggrieved people, they are an aggrieved hapu out here. They'll do what ever it takes - that's how it is."
Te Kotahi a Tuhoe could not be contacted for comment.