A lower North Island tribe, Muaupoko, will start cleaning up Lake Horowhenua, one of the most polluted lakes in the country, thanks to funding from the Government, councils and other organisations.
The Government is investing $540,000 in restoring the lake, into which treated sewage was pumped for years..
The project will improve the water quality, which will benefit wildlife, including native fish populations.
Lake Horowhenua Trust chair Matt Sword says the project will bring both the iwi and the community together.
He says a lot of people in Levin will be excited about the funding announcement, including Muaupoko tribal members, and the challenge now is to get as many people involved as possible.
Contributions from the Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council and the Horowhenua District Council, as well as from Dairy NZ and the Tararua Growers' Association, have brought total funding for the project to $1.27 million.
