Exhibit 23(a)


                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


     As independent public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the incorporation
by  reference  in this  registration  statement  on Form S-8 of our report dated
January 24, 2000  incorporated by reference into the MDU Resources  Group,  Inc.
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.


                                      /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 23, 2000