Ngai Tuhoe in Bay of Plenty says its decision to sign an agreement to work more closely with the regional council is a practical one based on improving management of land and water in the region.
The Relationship Protocol was signed last week by regional council chief executive Mary-Anne Macleod and Kirsti Luke who is the chief executive of the Ngai Tuhoe Treaty settlement entity Te Uru Taumatua.
Ngai Tuhoe has initialled a Treaty Deed of Settlement and are likely to sign soon and the new Relationship Protocol is outlined in the deed.
Ms Luke said along with Te Urewera national park, within the Tuhoe rohe there were four key rivers.
She said in the past Tuhoe had struggled to get its ideas for management of the area heard consistently and the working agreement with the regional council should improve that situation.
