Allan was excited by the project, which she said would reduce erosion, improve water quality, enhance biodiversity and provide jobs.
"The work will contribute to restoring the mauri of Whanganui Awa so it is particularly appropriate that it is being undertaken by the people most closely associated with her through their whakapapa.
"They are the people for whom 'ko au te awa: ko te awa ko au' is real and whose wellbeing will be enhanced by restoring the river to its natural, healthy state," she said.
She expected spin-offs from the project, such as plant nurseries and wetlands.
NTT chairwoman Sheena Maru said the investment by the Government showed its shared responsibility for river health.
Reducing erosion will be one focus, and the high sediment loads in the river have negatively impacted it and its freshwater species for decades, she said.
The "ambitious" project aims to reduce sediment by fencing, riparian planting and pest and weed control.
"The plan is to fence along 290km of river and to plant 630,000 plants to mitigate soil erosion, which will improve the water quality and biodiversity in our awa."
The work would empower hapū by creating jobs "at place" to restore and care for their rohe, Maru said. They would continue to reclaim their connections with the awa.
"We are now working with hapū, marae and landowners up the river to identify land blocks that need support, and we encourage you to please get in touch with us," Maru said.
DoC's delivery manager for the project is Katrina Thompson, who started in the role in October last year. She will monitor progress and ensure outcomes are delivered.
She said the project had begun by planning and establishing governance structures, and that district and regional councils would provide technical advisers.
"This is a really significant project for us here at DOC as well. We want to be supporting the creation of local jobs and the health of Te Awa Tupua," she said.
