Newly elected Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick has been sworn in, opening new pathways between the district council and Te Arawa tribes.
More than 150 people filled the Rotorua District Council's chamber on Wednesday night for the ceremony.
Ms Chadwick says she wants to work closely with the district's communities to find out how they would like the city to grow in the long-term.
She says Te Arawa is an important part of the communities.
The mayor says if the city wants sustainable growth, it is essential the council is asking the local tribal confederation what they want.
Te Arawa kaumatua Toby Curtis says he believes Ms Chadwick is the first Rotorua mayor to approach Te Arawa for its opinion on how the city should grow.
Dr Curtis suspects that is because she recognises Te Arawa is a major landholder and ratepayer.
He says it is also because Te Arawa enterprises are fast becoming a major economic asset in the region.
