Hopes Rotorua lakes will glisten like greenstone in future years...

Hopes Rotorua lakes will "glisten like greenstone" in future years...

Te Arawa iwi says it's looking forward to Rotorua lakes in the Eastern Bay of Plenty in the North Island of New Zealand being returned to their pristine conditions, as a $144 million clean up plan is announced

Rotorua iwi Te Arawa has welcomed an announcement the Government will pour $72 million into a project to clean up lakes in the region.

The total cost of the restoration programme is $144 million over the next decade. The Government will meet half that cost, with the remainder to be paid by Rotorua District Council and Environment Bay of Plenty. EBOP chairman John Cronin says he is delighted that the Prime Minister has recognised the importance of the lakes to the country.

Te Arawa spokesman Toby Curtis says the future will be much better now.

"We all look forward to the day when our lakes are returned to their pristine conditions. May our waters glisten like greenstone and may the shimmer of summer dance across our iconic lakes."

Another tribal elder, Anaru Rangiheuea, says the announcement has made both his day and Te Arawa's day.

Rotorua mayor Kevin Winters has praised the Prime Minister for sticking to her word. He says six years of discussions is now reality.

One would hope that this restoration program will just the beginning in the conservation of our lakes and waterways.

Clean up the Rotorua Lakes