As part of your funding application, please tell us which principle or principles your project relates to.

(We have added, for interest, how these relate to Energise Ōtaki’s own goals and projects.)

Download a pdf of the principles.

Kaitiakitanga

Kaitiakitanga requires us to nurture people and place; to preserve and enrich those things we have inherited from generations past. It demands that we employ our resources wisely, ensuring that their utilisation contributes to our viability and reputation.

Examples of how Energise Ōtaki purpose and projects can contribute to Kaitiakitanga

Energise Ōtaki philosophy and purpose

  • To develop a sustainable energy future for Ōtaki town and community which avoids harm to the environment, contributes to climate action, and enhances wellbeing.

Some Energise Ōtaki goals and projects

  • Increased renewable energy production and use in the town
  • Reduced fossil fuel use in the town
  • Reduced waste of energy
  • Wasted energy is recovered and used sustainably
  • The town can offset the climate emissions produced locally.

Kotahitanga

Values the ethic of working together, with energy and enthusiasm, towards the achievement of common goals. We should celebrate our distinctiveness while also revelling in our shared experiences, understandings, philosophies and interests.

Examples of how Energise Ōtaki purpose and projects can contribute to Kotahitanga

Energise Ōtaki philosophy and purpose

  • The Ōtaki community is working together on projects and ideas to take action for a sustainable energy future.
  • Working together on energy solutions to support people and families in Ōtaki to live healthy lives.
  • Working on energy solutions which help create local jobs and opportunities for people, especially young people, in Ōtaki.

Some Energise Ōtaki goals and projects

  • Energise Ōtaki is working with as many community groups as possible
  • As many groups as possible are pursuing a sustainable energy future as part of their own kaupapa

Manaakitanga

Manaakitanga extends aroha (love and compassion) to others — and is found in acts such as helping, encouraging and supporting. It provides us with endless opportunities to engage with people, individually and collectively. We need to ensure all our activities are conducted in a way that is mana enhancing of all those involved, and reflect values such as generosity, fairness, respect and consideration.

Examples of how Energise Ōtaki purpose and projects can contribute to Manaakitanga

Energise Ōtaki philosophy and purpose

  • Working with all Ōtaki groups in a way that supports each others’ vision.
  • Working on energy solutions which provide everyone with access to benefits and respects tikanga, te reo Māori, the dignity of people when developing solutions, ideas and solutions which are developed from community grass roots and community leadership.
  • Everybody’s ideas for energy action are important and everyone with a vision or idea is supported to take action.

Some Energise Ōtaki goals and projects

  • No one is living in energy poverty in Ōtaki. No one is living in a cold damp home
  • The Energise Ōtaki Community Investment Fund is growing in size and reach every year and is providing benefit to the community each year

Mohiotanga

Mohiotanga involves freely and openly sharing information and knowledge in a way that all can use it easily.

Examples of how Energise Ōtaki purpose and projects can contribute to Mohiotanga

Energise Ōtaki philosophy and purpose

  • People have the information and tools to build a sustainable energy future for themselves, their families and the town, in a form that makes sense to them.

Some Energise Ōtaki goals and projects

  • Build a resource of information that is relevant to the town and its communities, and is available to them in different ways, particularly in te reo Māori

Maramatanga

Maramatanga means understanding, knowledge, skill, intelligence, deduction, comprehension.

Examples of how Energise Ōtaki purpose and projects can contribute to Maramatanga

Energise Ōtaki philosophy and purpose

  • Ōtaki people ‘get’ the big sustainable energy picture and want to be involved in taking action.
  • People understand how Ōtaki works as an energy system and what can be done to make it better.

Some Energise Ōtaki goals and projects

  • Ōtaki is seen as an innovative town and community when it comes to building a smart energy future for itself.
  • Supporting the development of curriculum for local schools refers to a sustainable energy future, and the links to climate action and wellbeing
  • Continue work with Ōtaki College to build Māori science and knowledge into curriculum around energy and related matters

Whanaungatanga

Reminds us that our achievements are typically the result of collaborative effort. The full potential of our work is realised through working together as a whānau, which encourages us to celebrate our common interests, applaud our diversity and reinforce connections with whanau, hapu and iwi.

Examples of how Energise Ōtaki purpose and projects can contribute to Whanaungatanga

Energise Ōtaki philosophy and purpose

  • Linking people, families and community to the benefits and opportunities of a sustainable energy future.
  • Making sure that all areas of wellbeing and the social, economic, environmental and cultural links are made and supported in any project.
  • Working on energy related projects in a way that empowers others to lead, take action and make positive change

Some Energise Ōtaki goals and projects

  • That energy projects are happening in the town irrespective of direct Energise Ōtaki involvement

Ūkaipōtanga

Ūkaipōtanga reinforces Ōtaki as our principal home, as a place of comfort, connectedness, nourishment and inspiration, a place where one belongs, feels valued and is able to contribute. The town is of primary importance on reconnection with matauranga from our own whānau, hapu and iwi. We should ensure that we are fully engaged with our people and endeavour to create a similar environment at Energise Ōtaki.

Examples of how Energise Ōtaki purpose and projects can contribute to Ūkaipōtanga

Energise Ōtaki philosophy and purpose

  • Ōtaki is seen as a special place for its action on energy and a sustainable future, and the way it goes about community focused change.

Rangatiratanga

Rangatiratanga requires us to behave in a way that attracts favourable comments from others to the extent that we might be considered to have attributes commonly associated with a rangatira. We must nurture and promote these characteristics. We must be confident and competent in the way that we do our work, exercising control and discipline to ensure the integrity of our pursuits.

Ngā mihi nui to Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki for sharing these principles.