It’s official. Hau Ariki Marae’s ability to be an Emergency Assistance Centre to the community during crisis events has been strengthened thanks to gaining funds for solar power from central government.

The funding comes entirely from the Community Renewable Energy Fund, which is operated by the Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment (MBIE).

“Gaining this funding for solar panels and batteries will strengthen Hau Ariki Marae’s ability to be an Emergency Assistance Centre (EAC) for the council to call on during crisis events because we will be more energy resilient to support our local whānau and wider community in such times,” says Kevin Haunui, Marae Committee Chairperson.  

“We highly value Hau Ariki and our other two treasured marae in the district, Papawai in Greytown and Kohunui at Pirinoa, for the imperative roles they play in supporting their communities. This funding is a great outcome for our district and we are really grateful for Hau Ariki’s willingness to take in the public during emergencies as well as being an incredibly important place for the community all of the time,” says Janice Smith, Chief Executive Officer for South Wairarapa District Council.

The council assisted the marae with its funding application and successful funding was announced this month from MBIE.

The government has committed $28 million to support community renewable energy projects via the Community Renewable Energy Fund, which expanded on the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund (launched in 2020).

The funds for the solar panels and batteries at Hau Ariki Marae comes entirely from this pool of money. Timeframes for the installation of the solar panels have yet to be confirmed.