A major solar energy initiative is underway to build the resilience of 21 marae across Tairāwhiti, ensuring they can continue serving their communities during extreme weather events.
Funded primarily by an $856,979 grant from the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust (CGAT), the project is being led by Trust Tairāwhiti, which has also provided a further $15,000 per marae and secured support from other funders.
Marae have always served as a space for whānau to connect. During recent severe weather events, marae have played a crucial role in providing a safe space for communities and displaced whānau, distributing supplies and acting as community hubs to coordinate emergency response efforts. Installing solar energy systems will ensure that these marae can continue operating during times of crisis – even through power cuts, strengthening the overall resilience of their communities.
The selected marae were among the most impacted by severe weather events, hadn't already received CGAT funding, and were not part of the Government’s MBIE-funded marae solar energy initiative.
The initiative has involved extensive collaboration between CGAT, the Trust, marae trustees, hapū representatives, solar energy suppliers, tradespeople and other funders. A kanohi-ki-te-kanohi (face-to-face) approach has been prioritised from the outset, ensuring that marae whānau remain directly involved throughout the process. Installations will occur over the next eight to ten weeks, with teams working closely with each marae to minimise disruption. Installs take between two to four days per marae.
Solar suppliers Tū Mai Rā (TMR) and Solar Options (SO) will install solar systems across the 21 marae. Suppliers were recommended through a collective procurement process undertaken by the National Iwi Chairs Forum in 2024. In addition to that process, the Trust also applied He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora thinking, considering suppliers’ track record, cost-effectiveness, standards, reputation and ability to work well with marae. With no local suppliers in Gisborne – only agents of external providers – TMR from Tauranga and SO from Whakatāne were the best fit. TMR has previously worked with the Trust on the school pools heating project, installing solar-powered pool heating at four schools, including Te Waha o Rerekohu Area School, TKKM o Te Waiu, Hatea-a-Rangi and Tolaga Bay Area School.
The 21 marae in this project include sixteen from Ngāti Porou, four from Te Aitanga a Māhaki and one from Ngai Tāmanuhiri. By providing sustainable energy solutions, the project reinforces the critical role of marae as community hubs while reducing long-term electricity costs. Over time, savings on power bills will help fund the ongoing maintenance of these systems, ensuring their sustainability well into the future. In addition to resilience outcomes, it is also projected that taiao (environmental) and the reduction of energy hardship outcomes will be very evident.
There are also opportunities for marae to expand their solar capabilities beyond the initial installations.
Ongoing support will ensure each marae can effectively manage and maintain its system, with the Trust committing to a knowledge-sharing component in the project. The Trust plans to make the education component available to all marae and community hubs that have received solar panels from other sources.
The total project cost is just over $2 million, with about $123k allocated per marae. In addition to funding from CGAT and the Trust, contributions have also been secured from Eastland & Central Community Trust (ECCT), the Todd Foundation, the Department of Internal Affairs Lottery Community grant and Te Puni Kōkiri.