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The organiser of a project to increase energy efficiency at Parihaka says it is revealing the Taranaki community's history in a fresh way.
Amokura Panoho says before the papakainga was invaded in 1882 it was a thriving centre of technology and innovation with its own water infrastructure.
It was also the first community in Aotearoa with gas lighting.
Under the two-year project funded by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment's Maori science innovation fund, the community will work with a team from Massey University on low energy housing and multi-modal electricity and heat generation, storage and use, including exploring solar and wind options.
Ms Panoho says they are trying uphold the principles of their tupuna.
" That title of our project Taiepa Tiketike – Passive Resistance to Climate Change, its also a challenge to the people who are going to be part of our community, that living in our community is going to require change of the way in which certain people live. So we are working through a process around that and we're really pleased that this project has been picked up by Massey University " she says.
Amokura Panoho says Parihaka is also developing a master plan looking at housing development, land use, job creation, how the marae is serviced and how the influx of cars and people is managed.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH AMOKURA PANOHO CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjI0NTk=
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