TLC CEO Mike Fox, marae chair Dr Tom Roa ands Te Nehenehenui chief executive Sam Mikaere.
SOLAR panels have been installed at Taarewaanga marae in Ōtorohanga. The 18.5kW array – on the roof of the wharekai – now generates power for the marae, with surplus energy being shared among five nearby households. This was the second project in a $200,000 joint solar initiative between Te Nehenehenui and The Lines Company. The first installation was at Māniaroa Marae, north of Mōkau. Te Nehenehenui chief executive Samuel Mikaere said the work reflected a commitment to sustainable practices on Maniapoto marae. “Renewable energy is a great option and as Māori, we always reflect upon our values around kaitiakitanga. So, the ability to create our own energy and then share that with our whanau works for us. “It’s not just about powering our marae … it’s also saying this can work and is a great option for our whanau and gives back to our community as we make energy available for others,” Sam said. Taarewaanga Marae chair Tom Roa said renovations and new buildings meant the marae’s power needs had grown. The new infrastructure would be much more efficient. For the next 12 months at least, the marae community as well as five households of our kaumatua may potentially receive reduced power costs – it’s a big impact. “We know that with this new complex, the space will be much more widely used. The solar panelling will benefit not just our marae community, but I suggest also the wider Ōtorohanga community.” In November, the first stage of the $200,000 pilot project saw solar panels installed on the wharekai at Māniaroa Marae – located north of Mōkau. Mike Fox, TLC chief executive said there had been Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) funding for the project. “It’s great to see that level of Government investment in what the future of energy might look like.” The initiative was low risk with great benefit to the community, he said. “We see renewable solar as an important part of taking our region and New Zealand forward as we move toward a fully renewable energy system.” The year-long project is due to be fully delivered in December 2023. Insights and data from the completed pilot project will be used to help inform future renewable energy approaches for both marae and TLC.
