Brownlee sidestep on hydro comment

Audio: Hear what the Energy Minister said

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee has moved to play down public comments that the Mokihinui hydro project would not go ahead.

At a Grey Power meeting in Nelson on Monday, during a discussion about power generation, it was reported that Mr Brownlee referred to a project on the West Coast and someone in the crowd called out "Mokihinui'.

The minister replied: "Not the Mokihinui – the Mokihinui will not go ahead."

He quickly added: "Well, that's my view."

Three commissioners adjourned a hearing into the project in April.

They are expected to announce their decision this month.

The Meridian Energy project – with an 85-metre-high dam creating a 14-kilometre-long lake on the Mokihinui River north of Westport – has been opposed by Forest & Bird, the Department of Conservation and the West Coast regional and Buller district councils .

They believe the project will inundate valuable forest that is home to rare native flora and fauna, including the blue duck.

Forest & Bird welcomed Mr Brownlee's comments, but yesterday the minister said the society had "exaggerated" the exchange.

"I think it's just a beat up by Forest & Bird of an exchange with some people sitting in the audience. It's been wildly exaggerated," he said.

He could not remember the "exact words" and had no idea what decision would be made.

"I can tell you I've no knowledge whatsoever. I haven't had a report or otherwise. "It's their [the commissioners] business.

"I want to reinforce that it's entirely their decision and the Forest & Bird interpretation of my comment shouldn't affect them one little bit. There's absolutely no subtle message.

"My personal opinion is that the people with the responsibility will make a good decision in the end."

Forest & Bird wild rivers campaign co-ordinator Debs Martin, who was at the Nelson meeting, said she remembered the minister's comments clearly, and a Nelson Mail reporter had also recorded the exchange.

"We are saying good on him. It's exactly the right sort of thinking.

"The Mokihinui [project] isn't right for the Coast.

"I am sure it's unpopular with other people, what he said, but it's exactly what we are campaigning for.

"We are sorry to hear if he's backtracking on it."

Fairfax, NZPA