Te Arawa Lakes Trust says a rugby field sized floating wetland planned for Lake Rotorua is a win-win project for local Maori and the rest of the community.
The 5000 square metre fibre mat costing $900,000 is a partnership between the trust, Rotorua District Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
Trust chairman Toby Curtis says the man-made wetland fits in well with the iwi's kaitiakitanga (conservation responsibilities).
He says it should significantly reduce the lake's nutrient content, by annually removing four tonnes of nitrogen and a tonne of phosphorus.
Mr Curtis says Maori landowners near the lake will be encouraged not to put unwanted nutrients into it.