The High Court has cleared the way for an iwi-led initiative to create the country's largest mussel farm.
Waatea News reports the court rejected fisheries giant Sealord's claim commercial fishing would be harmed by Eastern Sea Farm's plan to develop 3800 hectares off Opotiki in the eastern Bay of Plenty.
The Whakatohea Maori Trust Board owns 54% of Eastern Sea Farm.
Director Ian Craig says the victory was eight years in the making and now that the decision has gone their way the trust can start planning for the future.
Mr Craig says shareholders, who include Sealord and New Zealand Sea Farms, will meet in November.
