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Greymouth Petroleum - Source: ONE News
Greymouth Petroleum has come up against opposition from local iwi in Taranaki.
Otaraua hapu are occupying their land in Tikorangi, near Waitara in Taranaki, protesting against Greymouth Petroleum's plans to drill for oil.
"The significance of Tikorangi to Otaraua hapu can't be overstated. It's an old pa site to us. It's an old kainga. More importantly it is a puna wai for the Waiau stream," says Otaraua spokesperson David Doorbar.
The land is sacred to Otaraua, but the New Plymouth District Council says otherwise.
"The Tikorangi Pa is not on our District Plan as a Waahi Tapu (sacred site) yet. It may be in the future," says New Plymouth District Council spokesperson Ralph Broad.
"Whether it goes ahead or not is really in the hands of Greymouth Petroleum," he says.
Maori MP for the region Tariana Turia says that Tikorangi is not only a sacred pa of Otaraua, but of all Taranaki tribes.
Doorbar says Otaraua will remain on-site and hopes Greymouth Petroleum will come to understanding of the hapu's significance of the land.
Greymouth Petroleum was available for comment.
