The Maori Council says it is prepared to take other natural resource claims to the Waitangi Tribunal - if it has to.
The tribunal released a short version of a report on Maori water rights on Friday, saying some Maori may still have ownership rights - residual property rights - to bodies of water.
Maori Council co-chair Rahui Katene says even though her organisation's been quiet over the past few years the statutory body is willing to help Maori with other environmental claims.
Those could include claims around minerals or air quality, she says.
Rahui Katene hopes the council won't need to step in, but they're ready if they have to.
She says the Maori Council can step in if Maori are unsuccessful getting a response from The Government, and need the council's help.
