First funding round to support more than 200 homes
The government has established a $14 million fund that will go to renewable energy projects for Māori housing over the next four years – with 15 initiatives receiving $2.8 million in the fund’s first round.
In a statement, the government said that funding for solar panels and other renewable technology will support more than 200 homes of kaumātua, papakāinga, and Māori-owned rentals to “provide cheaper power, warmer, and drier homes.”
“It’s wonderful to see these projects help set up families, marae, and small communities with the long-term benefits of things like solar panels as a low-cost, clean electricity source,” said Megan Woods, minister of energy and resources. “Some of the projects will go even further by installing household batteries to store surplus electricity, replacing the use of diesel generators to build community resilience, and to trial innovative solutions to share power with others.”
Meanwhile, Peeni Henare, associate minister for Māori housing, said that the fund “prioritises projects that aim to improve the health and wellbeing of whānau and tamariki who are experiencing, or who are at risk of energy hardship.”
“It comes on the back of a major boost for Māori Housing in Budget 2021 that will invest $380 million into Māori housing across Aotearoa New Zealand,” said Henare. “We know energy hardship is a real problem for whānau in regions all over the country. By taking advantage of technologies like solar power, they will see significant savings on their energy bills, and it will be easier to keep warm over winter.”
