A Taranaki hapu is disputing the involvement of another hapu in a petroleum company's plans to construct a gas pipeline that will damage archaeological sites.
The Environment Court in New Plymouth is hearing an appeal by Ngati Rahiri hapu against the Historic Places Trust, Todd Energy and Otaraua hapu permitting the work to proceed under the Historic Places Act.
The issue centres on mana whenua, or territorial rights.
Ngati Rahiri has agreed to the pipeline construction damaging the historic sites in Tikorangi, north of New Plymouth, but doesn't want the other hapu included.
The court has heard Ngati Rahiri want Otaraua excluded from certain conditions required by the Historic Places Trust, including Maori protocols about archaeological digs and iwi monitoring requirements.
Both hapu have an interest in the land and have previously worked together with Todd Energy on the construction of another section of pipeline.
