Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:00a.m.
Tariana Turia (NZPA)
A protest group that blocked a Bay of Plenty road will today meet with Maori MPs to discuss their grievances.
The demonstrators blocked the road between Murupara and Whakatane for up to nine hours yesterday, protesting against being excluded from negotiations to settle outstanding historical Treaty of Waitangi claims.
However, they agreed to take their protest off the road and the members of Ngati Haka/Patuheuheu will meet with Maori Party MPs Tariana Turia and Te Ururoa Flavell at the nearby Waiohau Marae.
A group of five protesters had used vehicles to block part of the 60km-long road near Murupara. It was reported to police early yesterday morning by a milk tanker driver.
However, they moved their protest off the road about 2pm after negotiations with a local kaumatua, said Senior Sergeant Ed Van Den Broek of Rotorua police.
The protest was moved to a nearby skid site. It grew to about 30 people during the day and went well into the evening, he said.
The road, the major route between Murupara and Whakatane, was blocked for about eight or nine hours which meant there were a few disgruntled motorists, Mr Van Den Broek said.
"Fortunately the kaumatua did a good job in convincing the protesters to move off the road and air their grievances."
The protest was a low key affair, he said. "It was all very peaceful and friendly."
NZPA
