Farmers say fight for compo 'like Maori struggle'

The farmers' fight for compensation over power pylons on their land has been likened to Maori land claims by a group blocking Transpower from their properties.

But Maori commentators say the farmers' struggle pales in comparison to that faced by Maori.

A group of South Canterbury farmers have vowed to only allow Transpower access to the power pylons on their land in emergencies as they seek annual rents they believe they deserve for having the infrastructure and contractor visits imposed on them.

The group has made contact with North Island landowners in the same boat and are looking to set up a national body to push their claims.

Spokesman for the South Canterbury group, farmer Jeremy Talbot, said farmers did not want to put the country's power supply at risk, but felt their only option to press their claims was to lock out Transpower.

"It's no different to a Maori land claim," Mr Talbot told the Herald.

"A Maori land claim is based on the fact the Government seized the land and either partitioned or sold it off, or used it themselves for public infrastructure, with no compensation ... and that's been proven to be unlawful, and that's why we have the Waitangi Tribunal.

"We are no different."

Canterbury University's Maori and indigenous studies school head Rawiri Taonui said while there might be similarities, Maori had lost all of their land, "not just one little part of it", and had only been compensated about 1 per cent of what they lost.

Maori Party treaty claims spokesman Te Ururoa Flavell said: "I don't think their situation is as severe as the injustices or land confiscations experienced by Maori."

Federated Farmers says while some landowners got easement payments for pylons, more than 40 per cent have never received any money.

Transpower spokeswoman Rebecca Wilson said discussions were continuing with the South Canterbury farmers over the lockout.

While Transpower was offering lump-sum payments for easements on farms where new pylons were going, it was not looking at rentals.

Meanwhile, Waikato farmer Steve Meier has met Transpower chief executive Patrick Strange after a dispute that came to a head in January when pylons on Mr Meier's land sparked a fire that led to power cuts.

Mr Meier said the meeting was simply Dr Strange "paying lip service" to the promised dialogue. But Ms Wilson said Dr Strange and Mr Meier had been able to talk in an "amicable and constructive" way.

Mr Meier's lawyer Paul Cassin is preparing to file court proceedings seeking a judicial review, and alleging negligence and nuisance over the January incident.