Summer relief with new Solar Power Water System
Installation of a new pump has greatly alleviated concerns regarding water quality on whenua Māori in the Manawatū rohe of Te Reu Reu.
The transition to warmer weather and extended daylight hours signals the approach of summer. For whenua Māori owners in the Manawatū rohe of Te Reu Reu, the installation of a new pump has greatly alleviated concerns regarding water quality on their whenua.
Earlier this year, a solar-powered pump and water tank system were installed across several Reu Reu blocks, replacing an existing neighbouring dam that frequently dried up during summer months when water demand peaks. Additionally, the dam was not able to provide high-quality water for livestock purposes.
The new pump extracts fresh water (wai māori) from a nearby awa using a solar unit on Reu Reu 1 Sec 33 B2, transferring it to a 30,000-litre tank situated at an elevated site on Reu Reu 3B 2B. This design allows for gravity-fed distribution to established waterlines.
A 30,000 litre water tank was also installed on Reu Reu Block 3B 2B
Further initiatives have been implemented west of this rohe, near Whanganui, where another solar-powered water pump has been deployed on Whenua Māori Trusts Karaka B1B, Karaka B1C, Karaka B2 B2A, and Karaka B2 B2B. These landowners will also benefit from improved access to fresh water. The installation of these stock water systems provides significant advantages:
- Current land use is safeguarded by preventing livestock from accessing waterways due to specialised fencing.
- Whenua owners’ revenue streams are preserved by enabling continued productive land use.
- Water security is enhanced, affording greater control to landowners.
These projects have been made possible with the support of Te Puni Kōkiri through the Te Ringa Hāpai Whenua Fund, which assists Māori freehold landowners in achieving their aspirations for the whenua. The fund supports infrastructure development that facilitates economic, cultural, social, and environmental initiatives on Māori land. Additional funding was also secured from other sources.
Click here to see the some of the work done on whenua in Manawatū, Whanganui, Taranaki and Wairarapa.