As a renewable energy source, hydrogen is emerging as an alternative source to fossil fuels for example to power fleet vehicles and public transport such as buses. Overseas, the conversation about hydrogen has been ongoing for some time but here in Aotearoa its still in its infancy.
Few Māori know about hydrogen energy or where it comes from.
The Tuaropaki Trust, Māori land owners on the shores of Lake Taupō, have worked in geothermal energy for many years. They have a commercial arrangement with Japan to extract hydrogen from geothermal for that country’s needs.
On a much smaller scale, I’ve heard stories of Uncles extracting hydrogen from streams up and down the country.
However for many hapū, iwi and Māori Land owners, renewable energy-of which solar is probably the best known-is seen as niche and expensive. Information is also scarce, particularly when it comes to considering Māori Values and what renewable energy means to whānau, hapū and iwi wellbeing.
The Green Paper contains a framework for considering hydrogen from a Māori perspective, looking at the relationship between Ngā Atua and natural resources and consideration of hapū and iwi as kaitiaki as guaranteed under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The framework also considers social, economic, cultural and environment wellbeing to spark conversations with Māori about their views on hydrogen and what it could mean to them.
The Green Paper is a first step in developing a Hydrogen Strategy for Aotearoa.
I’m hoping that hapū, iwi and Māori can be better informed on such innovations and can make decisions for themselves on their relevance based on their priorities.