8 Oct 2008

Hawke's Bay iwi seeks urgent hearing over wind farm

5:05 pm on 8 October 2008

A Hawke's Bay iwi has applied to the Waitangi Tribunal for an urgent hearing over the Crown's support to call in a resource consent application for a wind farm.

In 2006, power lines company Unison Networks sought consent for a 37- turbine farm on Te Waka range.

The Environment Court overturned a decision in Unison's favour, which the High Court upheld.

Unison has now applied for a 34-turbine wind farm in the same location, which the Crown has supported.

A lawyer for Ngati Hineuru says the iwi is appalled.

Jolene Patuawa says the Environment and High courts found Unison's application unacceptable, and the Crown is clearly in breach of its Treaty obligations.