Talks begin but hapu not moving

After almost three weeks of stand-off between Otaraua hapu and Greymouth Petroleum talks have begun.

The hapu maintains its occupation of the entrance to the company's Kowhai oil well in Tikorangi but met CEO Mark Dunphy on Monday.

Otaraua hapu spokeswoman Donna Eriwata said while an agreement had not been reached over the laying of a pipeline through waahi tapu (sacred) land, the hapu was happy with the way things were progressing.

"We're very pleased with preliminary talks and the bettering of relationships between the two of us," she said.

Ms Eriwata and members of the North Taranaki hapu started occupying the site on March 22 after it was felt there had been a lack of consultation by Greymouth Petroleum.

The hapu claims the proposed pipeline runs through the original Tikorangi Pa.

She said the community was continuing to support the hapu as it continued to wait for a written agreement work would stop.

- © Fairfax NZ News