March 24, 2022
Media Release: Te Arawa Whānau Ora support rohe with pioneering energy initiative
Te Arawa Whānau Ora support rohe with pioneering energy initiative
THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2022: An innovative approach to warmer, dryer homes to be unveiled by Energy Minister, Hon. Megan Woods today as part of the government’s Renewable Energy Fund for Māori & Public Housing.
Collaboration on a renewable energy initiative between Te Arawa Whānau Ora (TAWO), Tū Mai Rā Energy and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has positively impacted whānau across the Rotorua rohe and provided them with more than just a cheap source of energy. The initiative also aims to provide insights on the benefits of renewable energy on whānau life.
Te Arawa Whānau Ora CEO, Paora Te Hurihanganui says that all whānau should have the ability to live in warm, healthy and loving homes and this fund is a way to track key learnings and outcomes.
“Selecting whānau for the project was the difficult task, priority was given to whare with kaumatua, tamariki or hapū māmā. In Rotorua, we currently have over 3500 whare that are severely cold and damp. If whānau do not have the finances to remedy this, or to heat their whare adequately, we are seeing illnesses caused by dampness and mould.
“We know that Māori are 3 times more likely to be hospitalised with respiratory illnesses than pākehā. If we can prevent these illnesses happening in the first place, that supports overall hauora (wellbeing) with the additional long-term benefits of removing this burden from the health system” he says.
The objectives for the project were to reduce energy costs within these households, to improve health and wellbeing, improve knowledge on costs, benefits and design options for energy solutions by providing a reliable secure energy source and ultimately, provide positive impacts for the households.
Ivan Douglas, a Te Arawa kaumatua and solar energy fund recipient, stated that their monthly household power bill had been halved.
“We’re really wrapped with the whole process. Not only with the reduction in costs per month, but even simple things like understanding when the right time to use energy intensive appliances like dryers are. Because we have solar, the best time is during the day while the sun is out. I now have the confidence to use the dryer without worrying about what my power bill will be at the end of the month” Mr Douglas says.
Hon. Megan Woods will visit the home of Mr Douglas and kōrero with him and his whānau on the project exploring the key benefits they see on this innovative initiative.
The project has been deemed a success by the fourteen Rotorua households who became some of the first in the country to reap the benefits of the government’s Renewable Energy Fund for Māori & Public Housing. On average, these households reduced their electricity bills by 30-50% saving on average $100 a month.
The warmer homes endorsed a source of pride for whānau and the increased interest in renewable energy from wider whānau and friends created interest and education on the benefits of solar and how solar works.
ENDS
About Te Arawa Whānau Ora (TAWO)
TAWO is a collective of Whānau Ora providers in the Te Arawa rohe (region). Each collective member has skilled paeārahi (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, Te Ika Whenua Hauora, Mangakino Whānau Ora, Poutiri Trust and Associate Partner Tūwharetoa Health and Social Services.
WEBSITE:
www.tearawawhānauora.org.nz