A large iwi has signed agreements with five local authorities to jointly manage the Waikato River in its territory.
Raukawa is collaborating with the Taupo, South Waikato, Waipa, Otorohanga and Rotorua district councils to restore the health of the waterway in its rohe.
Raukawa Settlement and Charitable trusts chair Vanessa Eparaima says the aim of the agreements is to put a stop to the degradation of the river.
Ms Eparaima says her people talk about not being able to catch eels anymore, and they've been told they shouldn't collect food from parts of the river.
The joint iwi-council approach will help to spur the restoration effort into action, she says.