Local Maori show interest Karioi power

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 384, 30 April 1991, Page 1

Local Maori show interest Karioi power

While only two organisations have responded to an offer to speak to them about the Karioi hydro proposals, publicity in the Wanganui area has resulted in a lot more mail for the King Country Electric Power Board. General manager Peter Till told the board last Friday that more than 50 letters were sent out to potentially interested parties but the only replies were from an Ohakune Maori Incorporation and Electricorp Marketing. A meeting was held with the incorporation in Ohakune on 23 April, with "a generally positive response". He later told the Bulletin that the group had discussed a number of questions about the project, covering topics from the spiritual values of the rivers to commercial investment. Mr Till said Maori opposition to the scheme earlier expressed was from people living near the lower reaches of the Whangaehu, who were concerned that more water was to be diverted

from the river. (presently Electricorp diverts about 30 per cent of the river's tributary headwaters). Mr Till said as this was not the case - that the water would be retained in the Whangaehu system - they were no longer so concerned. Three letters a day have been arriving at the board's offices sine publicity in Wanganui - all from people wanting to sell things that go with power schemes, said Mr Till.