Foxton River loop will go some way to having its mauri restored after a local trust was given council approval to begin work that will return the iconic waterway back to a thriving wildlife habitat.
The once busy port area became a stagnant waterway when flood protection work was washed away in an actual flood, creating the Whirokino Cut and diverting the river away from Foxton.
Foxton's Save Our River Trust (SoRT) has been campaigning for four years to gain a consent to restore the river loop at the town verge.
Driven by community support, its vision is to see a water teeming with native fish and bird life, riverside cafes, fishing and boating activities for locals and tourists.
The Trust was granted a 32-year resource consent by Horizons Regional Council that will allow Trust members to undertake substantial enhancement work.