22 Aug 2014

Taranaki hapu fights pipeline proposal

10:30 pm on 22 August 2014

A Taranaki hapu has signalled it will oppose a proposal to lay new oil company pipelines at Tikorangi Pa, inland from Waitara.

In 2009, the Otaraua hapu occupied the pa for 66 days in protest at plans to install an earlier pipeline, an action which forced it to be redirected.

The chairman of the hapu, Rawiri Doorbar, said it would use any means necessary to prevent Greymouth Petroleum's development of the site, which it considers waahi tapu.

Greymouth Petroleum, which has refused to comment, needs the pipeline to service a potential new well on the south side of the Waitara River, which Otaraua has also opposed.

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