A group set up to help solve issues affecting the health of the Waikato and Waipa rivers has been expanded.
The Healthy Rivers Wai Ora committee, which is made up of river iwi and the Waikato Regional Council, has decided to add five seats to the 20 strong Collaborative Stakeholders Group.
The co-chair of the committee and Te Arawa River Iwi Trust representative, Roger Pikia, says the extra seats will make the group more inclusive and help it better reach out to Waikato communities.
There were 65 applications to be part of the Collaborative Stakeholders Group.
Mr Pikia says he is confident the expanded group will chart a clear way forward for protecting the rivers, which are taonga for all sections of the community.
The names of those appointed will be revealed later in the week.