16 May 2005
Marae-based Housing and Health Initiative To Make Hutt Homes More Energy Efficient
250 Hutt Valley homes will be made more energy efficient each year under a community partnership involving local
funders, government agencies and Contact Energy.
The Minister of Maori Affairs, the Honourable Parekura Horomia is launching the Kokiri Marae housing and health
initiative at Kokiri Marae in Seaview this evening.
“This initiative is a positive example of private and public organisations working together at the grassroots level to
improve the social and economic outcomes for both Maori and for the wider community,” says Mr Horomia.
Clients of Kokiri Marae Keriana Olsen Trust who have asthma or respiratory conditions, or who have trouble paying their
power bills will be targeted and are expected to benefit through improved health and lower energy costs.
Contact Energy chief executive Stephen Barrett says, “There is growing evidence of the link between our health and the
healthiness of our homes. We trust Kokiri Marae’s clients will enjoy reduced power bills and notice an improvement in
their health and well being.”
Recent research by the Wellington School of Medicine Housing and Health Research Programme found that people living in
insulated homes experienced fewer visits to the doctor, fewer admissions to hospital for asthmatic or respiratory
conditions and fewer days off work or school.
The project is being funded by Contact Energy under its Healthy Homes campaign, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Authority (EECA) under its strategic partnership programme, Hutt Mana Charitable Trust and the Hutt Valley District
Health Board.
ENDS