CONSENT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We
consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No.
333-06127 and No. 333-104150 on Form S-3, and No. 33-54486, No. 333-27879,
No.
333-27877, No. 333-33186, No. 333-33184, No. 333-70622, No. 333-62900, No.
333-84844, No. 333-112035, No. 333-118622, and No. 333-114488 on Form S-8
of our
reports dated February 22, 2006, relating to the consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedule of MDU Resources Group, Inc.
and
subsidiaries (the "Company") and management’s report on the effectiveness of
internal controls over financial reporting (which report on the consolidated
financial statements and financial statement schedule expresses an unqualified
opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph related to the Company's change
in
method of accounting for asset retirement obligations, as described in Notes
1
and 8 to the consolidated financial statements) appearing in this Annual
Report
on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2005.
/s/
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Minneapolis,
Minnesota