The Maori body which owns a lake near Levin that has been the subject of legal action has appointed a new chairman.
The Lake Horowhenua Trust has elected Eugene Henare to take over the position previously held by Jonathan Procter.
Mr Henare says his appointment has been made following a directive from the Maori Land Court.
Following controversy over land use and the occupation of buildings, Mr Henare says he wants the Trust to be more collaborative.
He says there needs to be better relations with other lake users for the sake of the future of the waterway and for generations to come.
Mr Henare says one of his goals is to heal and clean the lake.
Meanwhile, in the most recent ruling by the Maori Land Court, it suggested last month that the Horowhenua Trust and a lake administrative board hold talks about issuing new building occupation licences.
The judgement says that two local water sports clubs don't have a legal right to occupy buildings near the lake, which the court says belongs to Maori owners, even though the clubs say they paid for the buildings.
