Proposal to end feud over Taranaki drilling site

A feud between Maori and a petroleum company about a proposed drilling site in north Taranaki may be over.

Protesters from Otaraua hapu have been blocking the well entrance at the Tikorangi pa site near Waitara, in an attempt to stop a new pipe line by Greymouth Petroleum.

They said the site was sacred "tapu" and not suitable for drilling.

The company said in a statement its original plan was perfectly legal and the cheapest, most environmental way of accessing the gas.

However, after talks with the hapu it had agreed to build the pipeline along the access track around the edge of the hill and not through it.

The hapu said it would not comment on the decision until it had discussed it and come up with a collective response.

Greymouth Petroleum chief executive Mark Dunphy said the company had incurred significant additional costs with the Otaraua Hapu blockade.

"The blockade has caused a regrettable amount of landholder and community inconvenience. These matters will need to be resolved at a later date."

The company was committed to a relationship with the hapu focused on assisting each other where possible, Mr Dunphy said.

- NZPA