Solar Power for Tairāwhiti Marae | Auckland News

Auckland News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 4, 2026 · 1m

Solar power is taking root in Tairāwhiti, with a major expansion now powering twelve more marae — bringing clean energy to 34 communities total. Backed by Lotto funding after Cyclone Gabrielle and a new partnership with Te Puni Kōkiri, this initiative isn’t just about lights and appliances — it’s about resilience, independence, and sustainability. Marae leaders say solar systems keep operations running during outages, support emergency services, and honor Māori values of environmental stewardship. The project also promises surplus energy to cut costs for kōhanga reo and papakāinga, while…