In late 2010 the Minister for the Environment referred an application lodged by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and the Department of Conservation for amendments to the National Water Conservation (Lake Ellesmere) Order 1990 to Environment Canterbury.
Three Environment Canterbury Hearing Commissioners recommended the Minister for the Environment grant the application following a period of consultation. This recommendation was adopted by by Environment Canterbury Commissioners at a special meeting in July 2011 and will now be referred to the Minister for the Environment for a final decision.