Exhibit 23(a)


            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
of MDU Resources Group, Inc. on Form S-8 of our report dated February 17, 2004
(which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory
paragraph concerning the application of procedures relating to certain
adjustments, disclosures and reclassifications of consolidated financial
statement amounts related to the 2001 consolidated financial statements that
were audited by other auditors who have ceased operations and for which we have
expressed no opinion or other form of assurance other than with respect to such
adjustments, disclosures and reclassifications, specifically as it relates to
adjustments resulting from the Company's October 29, 2003 stock split as
described in Note 11; disclosures related to the Company's adoption of Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 142, Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets, as described in Note 3; reclassifications resulting in
additional disclosures of revenues and operations and maintenance expenses in
the consolidated financial statements as described in Note 1; and disclosures
related to the Company's adoption of SFAS No. 143, Asset Retirement Obligations,
as described in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements; and an
explanatory paragraph concerning the Company's changes in accounting for asset
retirement obligations and goodwill) appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K
of MDU Resources Group, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2003 and to the
reference to us under the heading "Interests of Named Experts and Counsel" in
such Registration Statement.



Deloitte & Touche LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
August 27, 2004