More marae across Tairāwhiti will soon benefit from improved energy resilience as the Marae Solar Project, coordinated by Trust Tairāwhiti, expands to include 12 more marae, bringing the total number of participating marae to 34.
Participating marae will be equipped with solar energy systems that strengthen day-to-day operations and enable them to continue serving their communities during power outages and civil defence emergencies.
Initial engagements between marae whānau, representatives from the Trust, solar providers, EIT Tairāwhiti and other project partners took place recently to introduce the project team, carry out initial site assessments and discuss the next steps before installations begin.
“Meeting with each marae at the beginning of the project is an important opportunity to build relationships, understand the unique needs of each marae and ensure the project is delivered in a way that works for every marae involved,” says the Trust’s general manager communities, Audine Grace-Kutia.
This extension of the project also introduces a new partnership with EIT Tairāwhiti, creating opportunities for students studying a Bachelor of Computing Systems to apply their Energy Saver projects in a real-world setting. Working alongside project partners, students will introduce solar nodes that collect and display real-time energy data, helping marae better understand their energy use, improve efficiency and identify opportunities to reduce power costs.
A wānanga programme to build the knowledge and confidence needed to operate and maintain solar energy systems will take place with each marae once installations are complete.
This extension of the Marae Solar Project is funded by the Trust and Te Puni Kōkiri.
Solar installations are expected to begin by early September.
12 additional marae:
- Manutūkē Marae
- Pākōwhai Marae
- Whāngārā Marae
- Hinetamatea Marae
- Te Kahika Marae
- Ōhinewaiapu Marae
- Mangahānea Marae
- Te Horo Marae
- Waiomatatini Marae
- Waiparapara Marae
- Pākirikiri Marae
- Te Heapera Marae