Police said the group used vehicles to block part of the 60km long road near Murupara.
The blockade, by five Maori activists, was reported to police early yesterday morning by a milk tanker driver, Inspector Bruce Horne of Rotorua police said.
By the time police had arrived another five or six protesters had joined the group and were using a truck and several cars to block the road.
The section of road that was blocked was about 15 minutes drive from Murupara, Mr Horne said.
The demonstrators said they were protesting against being excluded from negotiations to settle outstanding historical Treaty of Waitangi claims.
Members of Ngati Haka / Patuheuheu are expected to raise these concerns with Maori Party MPs Tariana Turia and Te Ururoa Flavell at Waiohau Marae.
The protest group, which who varied in age from young children to elderly people, said the roadblock could be called off depending on the outcome of the meeting.
