A new group has been formed to oversee the Bay of Plenty's Rangitaiki River and its catchments.
The group consists of 50% iwi and 50% council members and will share responsibility for the management and protection of the river.
The Rangitaiki River Forum is the first Treaty settlement in the region to involve co-governance of a river.
It has been established through Treaty settlements for Ngati Manawa and Ngati Whare.
Ngati Awa and Ngati Tuwharetoa are also part of the forum which is chaired by Bronco Carson of Ngati Whare.
The group will create a document to oversee the protection of the river and its catchments which is expected to be completed next year.
