Manu Caddie, Penu (Rongo-i-te-Kai) Marae treasurer, says the charger is up and running with a pay-as-you-go honesty box, a meter to record power used at 35c/kWh, and cameras to see who’s using it. “We’re working on a better option for marae around the motu to have a user-pays (via app) system so it doesn’t rely on an honesty box.”

The charger cost the marae about $700. “We’re keen to make it easier rather than harder for people travelling to the marae for events. Having the marae lead by example will hopefully encourage others that it’s doable and it’s coming.”

Caddie says it’s a natural fit to install EV chargers at marae. “Marae are kinds of natural uptakers, or should be, of chargers. People often come overnight and it’s a good community facility.”

There was a greater impetus for the install because the closest public charger at Ruatoria has been faulty or out of action for the past six months, he says.

Penu (Rongo-i-te-Kai) Marae is Caddie's wife Tarsh Koia's marae, and the couple has lived next door to the marae for eight years.

“We’ve had plenty of positive feedback from whānau with plug-in hybrids or full EVs who are grateful for the opportunity.”

Solar panels will be the next step for the marae, Caddie says, with the need for alternative energy sources underlined by the region being cut off in recent cyclones.