A Te Arawa environmental group says it's there to help deal with iwi and hapu on matters such as the accidental desecration of sacred trees.
Last year, the Rotorua District Council aimed to improve its relationship with a Ngati Pikiao hapu, Ngati Hinerangi, after a contractor cut down a native Mangeao tree.
The tree was named after a Ngati Pikiao chief, Taranui.
The sub-tribe, which has strong ties to Taranui was considering setting up an advisory board to work with council.
But now it's looking at joining the wider tribe's Ngati Pikiao Environmental Society.
The society's secretary Joe Tahana says rather than each hapu setting up its own body, it makes more sense having one organisation to deal with environmental issues facing the iwi.
