A hapū-led research project has developed a sustainable energy plan to support King Country (Te Rohe Pōtae) whānau tackle crippling power costs which have plagued the region for decades.
The partnership forged between Te Mangarautawhiri o Pukehou Trust (TMoPT) and Ngā Wai A Te Tūī has identified pathways that could help dismantle the destructive impact current power-industry models have on the health and wellbeing of whānau.
The one-year MBIE funded project Te ‘Hihiko o Mangarautawhiri: Power sovereignty for a prosperous whānau will help guide the establishment of an off-grid, renewable energy-generation model.
Researcher Hermione McCallum-Haire (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Hāua) was raised in the King Country and knows all too well the detrimental impact excessively high power costs have on whānau.
“We always had to pay two power bills – one to our power supplier and the other to the company that owns the lines. The effects of ‘double-billing’ left many kaumatua, kuia and low-income whānau struggling to meet expenses.”
Attempts to reduce the cost left many across the region going without power where night-time temperatures sink as low as -5 degrees in winter.
Researchers are now seeking further funding to begin the next phase of the project which includes feasibility studies, infrastructure requirements, software and hardware requirements, and testing energy-generation options, including solar, hydro and wind generation methods.
Hermione says, “the next stage of mahi will incorporate critical research into mātauranga Māori, resource management, engineering, climate-change mitigation and action and opportunities for Māori to participate in the renewable-energy industry.”
TMaPT, led by Ngāti Hinemihi hapū has acknowledged the dedicated support of Ngā Wai A Te Tūī researchers Professor Jenny Lee-Morgan, Rihi Tenana, Joanne Gallagher and Irene Kereama-Royal and is extremely thankful for their contribution to the transformative study.
Hermione says this collaborative kaupapa Māori research project has the power to unlock the potential of Te Rohe Pōtae and provide a blueprint for other isolated communities seeking greater control over the generation and distribution of power.