South Wairarapa District Council is on a mission to empower the community in times of emergency and has forged a close connection with Hau Ariki Marae to strengthen its support in crisis situations. The installation of 68 new solar panels this month is a big step towards this collaboration for the benefit of the community.

The new solar panels generate 30kw in total, along with a 30kw battery system and were funded entirely by the Ministry of Innovation & Employment (MBIE) with council support for the marae’s funding application earlier this year.

The application was successful and the rest, as they say, is history.

The solar panels were installed by McKenzie’s Electrical, as subcontractors to Tū Mai Rā Energy.

Above: A still sunny day to install the 68 solar panels to Hau Ariki Marae in Martinborough. Left to right:  Dillan Wyse (standing in burgundy shirt), Ben Pike, William Clatworthy, and Corey Simmonds.

“These panels build resilience within the marae, strengthening its ability to care for people in our community if and when an emergency strikes,” says Nigel Carter, the council’s Emergency Management Advisor, who adds that, due to the increasing frequency of emergency events, such as Cyclone Gabrielle, “We have learnt to expect the unexpected and prepare for worst case scenarios.”

The first place to go in an emergency is to friends and family. Emergency Assistance Centres are set up to take in the community when this is not possible.

Hau Ariki Marae is an official Emergency Assistance Centre in South Wairarapa. This means it can be opened up in an emergency to provide assistance, if needed.

“We are thrilled to see these solar panels in place, building resilience for emergencies and we appreciate the MBIE funding enormously. We look forward to continuing work with the council to ensure Hau Ariki Marae is a safe and resilient emergency refuge when needed,” says Kevin Haunui, Marae Committee Chairperson.

The council also granted $49,000 to Hau Ariki Marae this month for water tanks. This further strengthens the marae’s infrastructure and its function as a central gathering point for all in the community to come together, both in good times and not so good, such as in emergencies. This funding came from the final round of the one off Community Wellbeing Fund, which is administered by the council with funds entirely from central Government.

• The first port of call in an emergency situation is your local Community Emergency Hub. Find out more at: www.wremo.nz