A programme has been launched in an effort to clean up the Waihou River.

The Kaimai-Mamaku conservation project is a joint effort by the Department of Conservation, Environment Waikato and Environment Bay of Plenty.

Last week DOC spokeswoman Katrina Knill said the project would take an inventory of how healthy the catchment area was and would look at how the area could be better managed.

The area has been split into 12 sub-areas for which sub-catchment management plans will be drawn up under consultation with residents and conservationists.

"We’ve developed long-term goals, we’re about to go into the stage where we agree on priorities and talk to stakeholders."

The goal of the project Ms Knill said was to "improve the health of the catchment."