Murihiku Regeneration reaching out globally for green energy solutions
Murihiku was described as the “Saudi Arabia of wind” with regard to wind energy potential, by Siemens CEO Paul Ravlich at the German Green Energy Solutions webinar on Thursday night.
Hosted by the German-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (GNZCC), the webinar was a first step in an exciting collaboration between New Zealand (Murihiku Regeneration) and Germany to build a clean energy future for Murihiku and New Zealand more generally.
The German-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Network in Numbers.
Murihiku Regeneration thanks the German-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce for organising the event, and we give particular thanks to the following speakers:
Hon. Dr. Megan Woods - Minister of Housing, Energy and Resources, and Research, Science and Innovation
Tā Tipene O’Regan - Ngāi Tahu, Upoko o Awarua, 2022 New Zealander of the Year
Paul Ravlich - CEO, Siemens NZ Ltd., Regional Manager NSW Siemens Ltd.
Dr Nils Goseberg – Professor Technische Universität Braunschweig , Managing Director of the German Coastal Research Center
Dr Michael Feiner - Deputy Head of Mission, German Embassy
Dr. Carola Kantz - Deputy Managing Director of the VDMA Power-to-X for Applications
Murihiku Regeneration first shared green energy ambitions, goals, and initiatives with the GNZCC in 2021, cementing a relationship that lead to this webinar event.
In his opening address, Tā Tipene O’Regan highlighted the commitment of Ngāi Tahu in decarbonising Aotearoa, and his support of building connections with Germany:
“Tribally – there are a whole 70,000 of us – a part of a general movement for New Zealand to decarbonise and make our contribution to climate change”
“I am particularly positive and enthusiastic about the discussions that are beginning to proceed between our two nations in this connection.“
An important role of the GNZCC is to bring together stakeholders from NZ and Germany to get project initiatives ‘off the ground’, and to assist with trade development and market entry. A key role of the GNZCC is to connect opportunities between Germany and New Zealand – with 4.5 million member companies in Germany, this is a great partnership opportunity for Murihiku/Southland.
Hon. Dr. Megan Woods highlighted the important role Ngāi Tahu has played in driving conversations in the clean energy and decarbonisation space:
“The national and global move to a low emissions economy, powered by renewable energy is a once in a generation opportunity for us all – and for Iwi to fulfil their aspirations for their whenua and their people. Ngāi Tahu has been at the forefront of this conversation in recent years.”
Energy efficiency and renewables are a key focus for the GNZCC, with Minister Woods highlighting that:
“Germany is one of New Zealand’s leading science and innovation partners, and together we are working to support innovation that can help develop the bright new ideas to help us meet global climate objectives.”
See the presentation from the webinar below:
German Green Energy Solutions (PDF, 13.34 MB)
Posted: 14 May 2022