December 10, 2014
Tribal power plan falling short
Fewer than 200 people have so far signed up for a power plan that delivers cheaper power to East Coast marae.
Under a partnership between Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou and Contact Energy, people who take the Nati Power package get a 22 percent discount on their power bill, and a further $50 will go towards paying the power costs of the marae of Ngati Porou.
Toitu Ngati Porou chair Amohaere Houkamau says $8000 has been raised so far for the marae, but she wants many more people to sign up before the promotion ends on December 19.
She says it is about drawing on iwi members' collective buying power to derive benefit for the tribe.
Contact is also backing the annual Ngati Porou Pa Wars on January 3 by giving every participant Ngati Porou marae the chance to win new mattresses and sheets.
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