Mäori investment in geothermal power generation in the central North Island could transform the Mäori economy. Te Arawa FOMA discuss why now more than ever land owners and häpu authorities need to work collectively, as Mere Takoko reports.
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“A lot of proposed ventures could have got off the ground long ago but convincing owners to think about developing joint venture relationships is the hard part at this stage. We’ve all got to make a commitment to be part of the same brand.”
“The CNI tribes, which include Te Arawa, Tainui and Tuwharetoa, now control 30% of region’s land base and could transform the Mäori economy, says Short.“ The obvious outcome of investing into geothermal energy is wellbeing for our people. There are a number of spin offs for local employment including community electricity generation, health and tourism.”
“We need to be more aware of how carbon reduction legislation will impact on the investments we are currently choosing. What is required is an upscaling of research and development but that means more coordination between the private and public sector.”
“FOMA Te Arawa is open to the focus around bringing the major players together. It’s about sharing knowledge and sharing experience between the bigger trusts who are already developed and the smaller trusts within the
FoMA membership.”
“We could carve out our own niche through a coordinated investment in geothermal energy but we have to be really aware of the bigger kaupapa and sometimes that means looking beyond our immediate knowledge base. The success of our generation will be judged not by our words but the decisions we’re currently making.”
