Four government ministers have met with Waikato Tainui for the first dialogue forum since the signing of the Deed of Settlement for the Waikato River last year.
The inaugural Waikato-Tainui Crown Relationship Forum was held at Hopu Hopu, near Ngaruawahia.
Annual discussions between the Crown and iwi were agreed on as part of the deal.
Deputy Prime Minister Bill English was accompanied by Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson, and ministers Georgina Te Heu Heu and Nick Smith.
The river deal provides for new governance bodies representing iwi and Crown interests with the aim of protecting and enhancing the river.
