Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: Te Arawa Whānau Ora
ROTORUA 28.06.21: Fourteen Rotorua households will become some of the first in the country to reap the benefits of the government’s Renewable Energy Fund for Māori & Public Housing.
Te Arawa Whānau Ora is one of fifteen organisations throughout the motu to receive funding for a new solar power initiative, as part of the government’s focus on creating targeted renewable energy solutions for Māori and public housing.
Te Arawa Whānau Ora chair, Te Ururoa Flavell, says solar and battery systems will be installed in 14 Māori owned and occupied homes in Rotorua, with prioritisation given to whare with kaumātua or tamariki.
“We’re thrilled to have been chosen to receive this funding and will carefully select whānau to participate in the initiative based on prior engagement.
“Providing quality housing for kaumātua and low-income families to increase their health and wellbeing is our priority and contributes to the ultimate goal of achieving whānau greatness,” says Mr Flavell.
Tauranga-based energy solutions company, Tū Mai Rā Energy, has been commissioned by Te Arawa Whānau Ora to source high quality solar equipment and deliver affordable solar solutions to Rotorua whānau.
Mr Flavell says Tū Mai Rā Energy’s kaupapa to enable communities to meet their power needs in a cost effective, environmentally aware, and financially sustainable way fits in well with Te Arawa Whānau Ora’s aspirations.
“Tū Mai Rā Energy’s solar systems are designed to meet tangible and sustainable benefits, with a particular focus on tikanga, which aligns with our whānau-centred, values-based approach when working alongside whānau and our partners,” says Mr Flavell.
Te Arawa Whānau Ora and Tū Mai Rā Energy will facilitate a series of wānanga throughout the initiative to understand whānau needs and aspirations, and to provide information, education, and guidance from a Te Ao Māori view, focusing on sustainable change and whānau wellbeing.
About Te Arawa Whānau Ora (TAWO)
TAWO is a collective of Whānau Ora providers in the Te Arawa rohe (region). Each collective member has trained pāeārahi (navigators) who work alongside whānau to achieve their dreams, aspirations and goals through a kaupapa Māori worldview.
TAWO collective members are Aroha Mai Cancer Support Services, Korowai Aroha Health Centre, Maketu Health & Social Services, Te Papa Tākaro o Te Arawa Sports Trust, Te Roopū a Iwi o Te Arawa Charitable Trust, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Pikiao, Te Waiariki Purea Trust and Poutiri Trust.
