KAITIAKITANGA FUTURE GEOTHERMAL INNOVATION AND DIRECT USE

Abstract

There are significant economic growth opportunities for both M?ori and the wider New Zealand economy to work constructively together to realise the potential of natural resources. Taking a constructive and open approach to discussions on the use and development of these resources would lead to economic growth outcomes that are mutually beneficial to those that play a role as kaitiaki, Iwi M?ori and all New Zealanders. M?ori are interested in economic development opportunities and support a constructive discussion about the sustainable utilisation of natural resources.
The definition of kaitiakitanga should not be limited by the statutory definition, only tangata whenua can adequately define the nature and the role of a kaitiaki in respect of a particular resource. The tangata whenua of this region are Ng?ti T?wharetoa and Te Arawa who trace their descent from the common ancestor Ng?toroirangi of the Te Arawa waka. Calling his sisters Pupu and Te Hoata in Hawaiki bringing fire to his aid thus creating geothermal fields in development today. Many processes require this heat and can take advantage of geothermal energy to provide industry with an opportunity for a range of innovation and uses, depending on the temperature and sustainable extraction of the available geothermal fluid. Installations can be stand-alone, clustered or arranged in a cascading arrangement (e.g. a direct use application, after high temperature use for electric power generation), although developments may conversely cascade power generation off the direct use.
M?ori are major stakeholders and contributors to economic growth in the regions, particularly in the central North Island, and the M?ori economy has significant interests in many geothermal resources. Government targets pursue increased use of renewables and direct use of geothermal energy, as do local and regional economic development agencies. M?ori is well-placed to meet some of these aspirations. This paper will explore kaitiakitanga, future geothermal innovation and direct use and show how M?ori work best and most productively in collaboration – to develop scale in business and leverage existing resources.