Exhibit 23(a)


                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

          As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
     incorporation by reference in this registration statement of our reports
     dated January 24, 1996 and March 27, 1996 incorporated by reference in MDU
     Resources Group Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 and
     included in the Annual Report on Form 11-K of the MDU Resources Group, Inc.
     Tax Deferred Compensation Savings Plan for the year ended December 31,
     1995, respectively, and to all references to our Firm included in this
     registration statement.


                                                /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

                                                ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP



     Minneapolis, Minnesota
       June 14, 1996