Hastings District Council is one step closer to removing a controversial public walking track.

The decision to remove the track on the eastern side of Te Mata Peak now has strong public support.

Public submissions show 90 per cent of people support completely removing it.

The council needs resource consent to see it gone.

Ngahiwi Tomoana, chairman of the local iwi, Ngati Kahungunu, told Mike Hosking there's been a collegial approach to see the end of the issue.

"I think there has been quite a cohesive attempt by community, by council and by local land owners to resolve it, alongside local hapū."