After a long struggle, freshwater flows will finally be restored into the dying Maketū Estuary or Te Awa o Ngātoroirangi.
The health of the estuary has been declining since the river mouth was diverted away from it in 1956.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has selected J Swamp Contractors Limited to undertake Kaituna River re-diversion construction works.
The effort will begin in September this year and will take around two years to finish at a cost of $13.5mil.