The company behind Northland's biggest energy project is ruling out making payments to Maori who oppose its electricity project at Kaipara Harbour.
Crest Energy wants to build a 200-megawatt power station using tidal flow at the harbour mouth.
The company's director, Anthony Hopkins, was asked at an energy conference in Wellington whether he would offer payments to a local hapu, Te Uri O Hau, which staged several legal challenges to the scheme.
Mr Hopkins ruled that out as an idea, saying it would make the project too expensive.
His comments contrast with Meridian Energy which made payments to Maori over a dam in Buller.
