Across Tairāwhiti, marae are embracing renewable energy, with 20 now equipped with solar systems, marking significant progress on the Marae Solar Project led by Trust Tairāwhiti.
The remaining two marae are undergoing additional upgrades to their facilities before the final solar installations are completed.
Last month, Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Simon Watts visited Tapuihikitia Marae in Puha, one of the marae included in the project.
“Real basics like charging phones, internet access, food, and having somewhere warm and dry to sleep can’t be taken for granted. In regions like this, power may be out for up to a week after severe weather events,” he says.
“This investment brings real resilience. It’s a great example of a community working with local and central government, funding agencies, and iwi Māori across the East Coast to deliver real benefits.”
All Tairāwhiti iwi are represented in the project with the recent inclusion of Te Pahou Marae in Manutuke, affiliated to Rongowhakaata. This brings the total number of marae in the project to 22.
The $2.6m project is funded by the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust, EECA, Te Puni Kōkiri, Department Internal Affairs, Eastern & Central Community Trust, Todd Foundation and Trust Tairāwhiti.
Installations at all marae are expected to be completed by the end of the year.