We were deeply privileged to host Hal Aronson, the co-founder and designer behind the solar suitcase kit at We Share Solar USA, Barry Neal, a dedicated board member championing the programme in Aotearoa, and Keith Scoles, our trusted technical advisor from Orion, in Taranaki, Aotearoa.

We have lots to share and celebrate so read on to find out what we’ve been up to lately.

Matthew Shribman (Manu Tukutuku) and his team at AimHi Earth provide accessible and engaging online climate and sustainability training, curated to educate and upskill individuals and organisations.

As we approach Mātariki (Māori New Year) here Aotearoa (New Zealand), it has given us time to whakanui (celebrate) everything we have achieved over the past few months.

Sharing our celebrations from this year so far.

Our celebrations and learnings from the month of December. Wishing you all a lovely Christmas and New Year break!

This article was written by Sarah Grant for the Open Collective Platform for fundraising. It showcases how to collaborate for impact and shares our learnings so far.

Sharing our celebrations and learnings from our November newsletter.

We are excited to celebrate and share the learnings from the successful We Share Solar Primary Pilot at Homai Primary, South Auckland and their project: “Follow the sun, the adventures of Maui”.

For our second We Share Solar project in Aotearoa, we were delighted to partner with Orion NZ, the electricity distributor for central Waitaha, Canterbury and Ao Tawhiti school in Ōtautahi, Christchurch. Read on to learn about the great outcomes from this partnership.

As we approach Matariki (Māori New Year), it is a chance for us to individually and collectively whakanuia (celebrate) what we have achieved and māharatia (reflect) on what has happened and what is coming up.

We have reflected on our vision, beliefs and values and refined our three key strategic outcomes for 2022-2024. We are delighted to share our plan.

We are so excited to welcome Huia Lambie (Ngāti Mutunga iwi) as our Co-CEO, joining Sarah Grant. Huia is well-known by many across Aotearoa (and further afield!) as an instigator, connector and enabler of positive impact.

The We Share Solar programme was piloted at Haeata Community Campus in Aranui, Ōtautahi Christchurch in term 2 2021 over six sessions of 2-3 hours.

The programme covers topics on climate change and electricity with an emphasis on solar power.

“Our current method of education is not serving every child,” Joanne says. “It was designed on a faulty premise, an old paradigm, following the English model.  We’re not English.  We’re New Zealanders.  We are Māori.  We are a mix of other Pacific nations. Although we are an international country,  we should be honouring Tangata whenua and Tangata Tiriti and setting up for success for our people.