A Bay of Plenty tribe is ruling out taking a claim to the Waitangi Tribunal over who should own a local electricity lines company.
But Ngati Rangitihi of Matata is considering its next move, after losing a Court of Appeal case against Eastern Bay Energy Trust.
The tribe argues the trust does not have the right to boost its shareholding in Whakatane-based lines firm Horizon Energy.
Ngati Rangitihi chairman Graham Pryor says they took the action on behalf of the customers, many of whom are Maori.
He says some of his constituents were concerned they weren't receiving enough information about a bid by Eastern Bay Energy Trust to boost its stake in Horizon Energy.
Mr Pryor says some people thought the deal was fait accompli, when there was an informed process.
He says another lines company, Marlborough Lines, has covered its court costs.
Marlborough Lines owns nearly 14% of Horizon Energy.
