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Some Whanganui Maori say the occupation of Moutoa Gardens, which began on Sunday morning, is not intended to cause disruption but to highlight their concerns over the use of the Whanganui river.
A group of local Maori has begun the occupation over what they say is the crown's lack of action on ownership of the river.
The chairman of the Whanganui River Maori Trust Board, Archie Taiaroa, says the occupation, which is expected to last just one day and is a chance for the iwi to highlight their concerns.
Members of the Whanganui river tribes met with government officials on Saturday night to discuss their concerns and will this week begin negotiating with the Crown over their claim on the river.
Taiaroa says there are serious concerns that the process will be frustrated because Genesis Power has approval to take water from the river for its hydro operations for another 34 years.
The dispute between the iwi and Crown is over the ownership of the Whanganui river, and the iwi's anger over Genesis Power's plans to to take water from it for power generation for another 35 years.
