Aratoi, Wairarapa Museum of Art and History is another step closer to its sustainability goal, after it received funding for the balance of its Solar Panel Project.
Aratoi is dedicated to sustainability underpinning every aspect of the Museum’s operations. The solar panel project not only supports our environment; it also ensures that Aratoi can focus its efforts and funds into stronger support and education for our communities.
The first stage of the project was completed earlier this year, with funding received from local sponsors, donations, and a Masterton District Council Special Grant.
Funding for the balance of the Solar Panel Project has just been secured from a generous grant of $27,500 from Eastern & Central Community Trust. The additional panels supported by this new grant will mean Aratoi’s annual electricity savings will rise to over $20,000 per year.
Susanna Shadbolt, Aratoi’s Director, is delighted with the funding saying, “It is wonderful that Aratoi can continue to preserve our art and history within the region, as well as our environment. This funding ensures that Wairarapa Taonga Māori and cultural artefacts continue to be professionally cared for and made accessible to our communities and visitors to the region while continually acting on our sustainability goals and reducing our impact on the environment.”
Aratoi Chair David Moriarty adds, “We are so thankful to all our supporters and the donations and sponsors that have made this project happen. Aratoi is a community focused museum, and it is fantastic to see our community sharing our vision and goals for creating a more sustainable and environmentally responsible business.”
Aratoi is the only professional museum in the Wairarapa, looking after a nationally significant collection of art, taonga and historical and archaeological artefacts from our region. The Museum provides an education programme free of charge which is offered to all schools and educational centres and also takes on a leadership role to provide professional guidance to Wairarapa’s smaller, volunteer-run heritage organisations.
Aratoi continually looks for ways to improve its sustainability practices; from simple small changes like swapping bubble wrap in the retail store to using recycled mesh brown paper, up to using recycled, reusable and repurposed materials in their Education programmes, Aratoi is fast becoming a shining example of how sustainability can be woven successfully into a business.
We wish to acknowledge and thank the following individuals and organisations for their generous support of the Aratoi solar panel project:
Andrew and Jane Hyder, Frank Minehan, Heginbotham Family, Hélène and Gil Carroll, Maarten Wevers, Susana Caroline White, Iain Shephard and Chris Dunphy, The Estate of Ro Worley, Ross Ireland and Janet Avery, Tim and Penny Bunny, Warren and Virginia Warbrick, Briar Toop and Mike Weeks, Judy and David Toop, Gretel Dick, Robin White, Michael Fudakowski, Jo and Monty Beetham, Judith Galtry and Paul Callister, David O Baker, Sue Beauclerc and Chris Pinfield, John and Clare Johnston, Marianne Hackney, Chris Hackney, Sandra and Peter Debney, Margaret and Brian Bourke, Alastair Bisley and Lydia Wevers, Carol and Syd Morgan, Sam Ludden, Lyn and Phil Patterson, Shirley and Blyth King, Sarah and Jeremy Hodson, Paul and Liz Armstrong, Shane and Anne Atkinson, In memory of Ruth Blade, Donna and Mike Burkhart, Steve and Barbara Wilton, Barbara and Ray Roydhouse.
Masterton District Council, Provincial Insurance Brokers Ltd, Page Galleries, B W O’Brien and Co Ltd, Friends of Aratoi, Con Art Gallery & Studios, Rotary Club of Masterton South, Deco Precasters, Hebe Boutique, Tonik Hairdressing Kuripuni, Urban Naturals, Aratoi Patrons Trust, Eastern & Central Community Trust.