Solar Initiative Strengthens Energy Resilience and Mana Motuhake for Whanganui River Marae
A major green energy initiative is transforming how several marae along the Whanganui River operate, installing solar power systems to cut electricity costs and bolster community resilience.
Led and funded by the iwi entity Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o Whanganui (NTT) through Te Whāwhaki Trust, the project represents a long-term investment in renewable energy. Currently, five marae—Te Ao Hou, Tuhiariki, Mangamingi, Ngāpūwaiwaha, and Raetihi—are already running on solar power. The installations are being carried out by Tū Mai Rā Energy, a Rangitāne iwi-owned and operated business.
The scale of the initiative is expanding. A pilot programme is set to see solar panels and batteries installed at eight marae by the end of June, with a further nine installations planned before the end of the year. To date, 32 marae have registered their interest in the project.
“I can still remember [the marae] when it had a dirt floor in the kitchen and open fires and cooking kai like that,” a kuia at Ngāpūwaiwaha Marae in Taumarunui said. “It’s good to have [solar panels] at the marae now, and we’re moving forward for mokopuna.”
For many, the benefits are both practical and cultural. Another kuia noted that installing a solar system “brings us into the next few years without having to worry about power bills.”
Driving Independence and Sustainability
The project aims to strengthen energy resilience and independence during power outages, emergencies, and periods of power scarcity, reducing reliance on external systems. This push for locally driven energy solutions follows historical concerns regarding the environmental impact of the Tongariro Power Scheme and ongoing water diversion for hydroelectric power generation.
Te Whāwhaki Trust kaiarotahi Amiria Joseph-Wiari, who oversees the initiative, emphasized that marae are fundamental to the ability to express manaakitanga, uphold mana, and maintain whakapapa connections and responsibilities. She expressed hope that the project would allow marae to be more sustainable and provide the ability to determine operations at a hapū level.
“What I hope this project achieves is that marae are more sustainable and have the ability to determine their operations at a hapū level without having to rely on paying for power to keep the doors open, keep the lights on and manaaki manuhiri,” Joseph-Wiari said.
To ensure efficiency, systems are individually designed for each marae based on power use assessments, including an analysis of 12 months of power bills and appliance usage. Project manager Troy Brown, who has led the initiative for nearly two years, noted that the project grew from a desire to invest in marae and build long-term capability.
Brown also highlighted the importance of education during the early stages of the programme. “That’s the biggest step. We want whānau and marae to be informed,” Brown said, noting that some marae were initially hesitant due to concerns regarding batteries and uncertainty about the benefits.
Brown suggested the project represents something larger than simple energy savings: “It’s a step toward mana motuhake – less reliance on the system.”
Looking Ahead
Ngā Tāngata Tiaki hopes to complete the wider project by the end of next year. If the rollout proceeds as planned, the initiative could significantly increase the energy security of Whanganui River communities and provide a more sustainable model for marae operations.
