Two Te Arawa entities have joined together to set up a tourist attraction near Mount Tarawera.
The Tuhourangi Tribal Authority and Whakarewarewa Village Charitable Trust have started talks about possible ventures at Tarawera Landing Scenic Reserve.
The Department of Conservation has approved the authority's application to lease a cottage at the reserve for 30 years.
There are plans for a visitor information centre and a marae-style accommodation experience for up to 12 visitors.
The area is the ancestral home of Tuhourangi, which was forced to move to Whakarewarewa Village after the 1886 Mt Tarawera eruption that killed more than 100 people.
Tuhourangi Tribal Authority chairperson Wally Lee says the joint venture would encompass the tribe's history, but indicated that details are being worked out by the authority and Whakarewarewa Village Charitable Trust.
