Marae, council link to provide emergency centre

(L – R): Dillan Wyse (overseeing), Ben Pike, William Clatworthy, installing the Hau Ariki solar panels.

Martinborough’s Hau Ariki Marae is now sporting 68 new solar panels able to generate power to support its role as an official Emergency Assistance Centre during any emergency in South Wairarapa. 

The marae is the first Wairarapa centre to be granted funding by the Ministry of Innovation and Employment (MBIE) for such a community emergency system – which will generate 30 kw of electricity and includes a 30 kw battery for power storage.

The grant for funding was supported by the district council, which has separately granted Hau Ariki Marae $49,000 for water tanks. 

“This further strengthens the marae’s infrastructure and its function as a central gathering point for all in the community to come together, both in good times and not so good, such as in emergencies,” Nigel Carter, the council’s emergency management advisor, said in a statement. Funding for the power system came from the final round of the one-off Community Wellbeing Fund, which is administered by the council with funds entirely from central Government.

Due to the increasing frequency of emergency events, such as Cyclone Gabrielle, “we have learnt to expect the unexpected and prepare for worst case scenarios,” Carter added.

The first place to go in an emergency is to friends and family, while Emergency Assistance Centres are set up to take in the community when this is not possible.

Hau Ariki Marae is designated as an official Emergency Assistance Centre in South Wairarapa. This means it can be opened up in an emergency to provide assistance, if needed.

“We are thrilled to see these solar panels in place, building resilience for emergencies and we

appreciate the MBIE funding enormously,” said marae committee chair Kevin Haunui.

“We look forward to continuing work with the council to ensure Hau Ariki Marae is a safe and resilient emergency refuge when needed,” he said.

The first port of call in an emergency situation is the local community emergency Hub, located at Waihinga Centre. Find out more at: www.wremo.nz