Marae Water Resilience Program – Tairāwhiti, New Zealand

30 portable LEDI desalination units deployed across remote Māori communities to ensure self-sufficient, off-grid drinking water during disasters.

Learn What’s Possible

The Quick Stats!

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Portable LEDI units deployed across Tairāwhiti
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Marae equipped as independent water hubs
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Daily desalination capability

The Challenge

Cyclone Gabrielle wiped out the region’s main drinking-water supply, isolating communities and placing marae under immense pressure. Many had no access to clean water for days. Traditional response logistics, bottled water, tanker trucks, helicopter drops were too slow, expensive, and unsustainable for repeated events. A new decentralised approach was needed.

The Solution

LEDI supplied 30 portable desalination units, a mix of AquaGen and Garrison systems, engineered for helicopter lift, ute transport, and rapid deployment. Each system runs on solar, battery, or generator power and can turn seawater, river water, or contaminated stormwater into safe, NZ-compliant drinking water.

Training was delivered directly to marae teams so local operators can run the units without reliance on specialists.

The Impact

Every marae equipped with a LEDI unit is now a self-sufficient water source capable of supporting hundreds of people during an outage. The region no longer relies on bottled-water supply chains. Communities have gained autonomy, resilience, and confidence, with local whānau trained to operate and maintain their systems.

This project was recognised nationally, winning the ALGIM Smart Communities Project of the Year award for innovation in emergency water resilience.

Off-Grid Independence

LEDI units operate on solar, vehicle battery, or generator power. Even when roads and the grid fail, marae can produce clean drinking water immediately.

Rapid Deployment

Systems are compact, rugged, and easily transported by Hilux, helicopter, or trailer. Setup takes minutes — no plumbing, no installation.

Community-Led Capability

Local operators were trained through TEMO and Ngāti Porou, ensuring long-term sustainability and true grassroots ownership of the water solution.

“After Gabrielle, we knew we could never be that close to running out of safe drinking water again. These units give our marae the autonomy to look after their people in crisis”
Ben Green, Tairāwhiti Emergency Management

Bring Resilient Water Capability to Your Community

Talk to our engineering team about designing a portable water-readiness package for your region, organisation, or emergency-management group.
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