'Sneaky' energy companies slated

Contact Energy "might have to set up a boxing ring" at its wind farm open day tomorrow, farmer Kevin Taylor says.

The energy company is holding an open day at the Waewaepa stockyard from 10am-2pm, to discuss yet another proposed farm - this time in the ranges east of Pahiatua.

Many locals, some of whom only found out about the farm in a mailbox leaflet a month ago, were not impressed, Mr Taylor said.

"They have put all the glossy brochures out, and all the bull**** and jellybeans or whatever you want to call it. I am not that rapt about it."

It could potentially affect his horse-breeding business, and would "bastardise" the landscape, he said.

"It's a bit different when it affects you, isn't it? They must have been rubbing their hands together with glee when they found this quiet little place." The way energy companies went about business was sneaky, he added.

"They go off and pick people off one by one, get them signed up and tight-lipped. It's almost like the mafia."

Neighbour Gary Symons has owned a lifestyle block in the area for five years, and said he is not too concerned with the proposed wind farm - but will be looking forward to tomorrow's "pow-wow".

"We're not totally against them, but there are a lot of questions that need to be answered."

But it was obvious the wind farm would divide the small community, he said.

"There is going to be a split, you can see that. But I can appreciate how some of them feel - we have only been here five years, some of them have been born and bred."

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