Prof Goran Strbac, of London, was called by Meridian to give evidence on the potential logistics of increased wind energy generation in New Zealand.
Prof Strbac, a professor of Electrical Energy Systems at Imperial College London and director of the UK Government Centre for Sustainable Electricity and Distributed Generation, had conducted a study and written according conclusions for the hearing, on which he was ques-tioned.
During an almost five-hour long cross-examination by appellant Roch Sullivan, Prof Strbac was made to explain, and at times defend, methods of his data collection and subsequent analysis.
At times during the cross-examination Judge Jon Jackson told Mr Sullivan to discontinue lines of questioning, as they were irrelevant or inappropriate.
"You are really pushing my patience now, Mr Sullivan - please move on. This is really all so speculatory," Judge Jackson said.
Mr Sullivan asked Prof Strbac if his study and subsequent conclusions about New Zealand's capacity for wind-generated electricity had been limited by Meridian Energy's commercial standing in relation to Project Hayes.
"It's a fact that you need funding to conduct those studies isn't it? You are not going to get funding from the commercial sector unless there's something commercial related to that study.
"Meridian aren't going to fund your scientific desires," Mr Sullivan said.
Prof Strbac said he was paid to provide an independent, objective study and analysis of data, regardless of his personal views.
"I do not produce commercial results, I'm objective . . . that's my job and that's why people come to me to do this type of work. My reputation and that of my team lives on my objectivity," he said.
Judge Jackson said Mr Sullivan could only put such a line of questioning to the witness if he was suggesting Prof Strbac was unreliable, and asked Mr Sullivan to move on.
