The Whanganui River Maori Trust Board says the new co-management plan to look after Whanganui National Park signals the start of partnership arrangements in a post-settlement Aotearoa.
The plan includes iwi in a shared partnership with the Department of Conservation in the day-to-day running of the park.
It also recognises the deep cultural relationship they have with the land, the forests, the river and its tributaries.
Board deputy chair Gerrard Albert says the plan at least acknowledges what the iwi is trying to achieve.
He says it clears the way to build better relations with government agencies such as DoC, with the two parties working together for the best interests of Whanganui National Park.
Mr Albert says it is a means towards an end of acknowledging where Whanganui iwi want to be through the current relationships with Crown agencies.
