Maori Rotorua residents angered by a plan to build a new rubbish transfer station in their suburb, where four marae are, have entered into mediation with the company behind the proposal.
The talks follow an independent commissioner earlier granting Transpacific Industries Group consent to build.
It proposes to build the transfer station on the corner of Te Ngae Road and Hamiora Place in Ngapuna.
The consent approval has angered some local residents and has even led to one of them, John Tapiata, filing an application with the Environment Court.
Mr Tapiata says in the meantime, Ngapuna residents are in talks with Transpacific and are working towards a solution, which he hopes will ensure Maori values are acknowledged.
In July, Te Manu Korihi reported some Maori residents were worried that the transfer station would be built within a circle of four marae, with one likening it to having a rubbish bin put in their lounge.
They say it's also only 100m from a popular ngawha, or hot pool, and 200m from homes.
Ngapuna is classed as an industrial area.
