Light Up the Domain is a community-led initiative aimed at making the town’s premier park more welcoming after dark and highlighting its unique character. The donation will help fund the installation of eco-friendly lighting around the Gallipoli Centennial ponds and gardens.
Darice Collinson, Chair of Light Up the Domain said, “Everyone involved with Light Up the Domain are thrilled with the donation and it’s satisfying to think that the energy that will be generated by Tauhei Solar Farm will eventually help power the new lights.
“Tauhei is an amazing project, and I think almost everyone in Te Aroha is honoured and happy to have it here,” Collinson adds.
Garth Elmes, Harmony Energy MD said, “We are delighted to support such an important project for the Te Aroha community. Light up the Domain is a great initiative that will make a difference to so many in the community.”
More light, more life in the Domain
The lighting project is being delivered in phases. Collinson explains that the latest work focuses on the ponds:
“We have already got the existing lighting going so the band rotunda is lit, and the ponds are next. The third phase will be to floodlight the trees. It’s not going to be colourful, it’s just going to spotlight the aspects that are already there. Once all the assets are floodlit a lot more, we plan to put on evening events – concerts and movie nights – and people can picnic there on summer nights.”
“The jewel in the crown of this area”
Dating back to the 1890s, the Te Aroha Domain was once a thriving spa destination for both local and international visitors. Today, it retains much of its Edwardian character, with historic buildings, mineral spas, and the Mokena Geyser – believed to be the world’s only natural hot soda water geyser.
Although loved by locals, the park is rarely used in the evenings. Collinson hopes the lighting will change that: “I love Te Aroha, and the Domain is the jewel in the crown of this area. But I’ve always felt it’s underutilised. I’m hitting the ‘go’ button now so we can get shovels in the ground. The end result will be so much fun.”
Once the lighting is installed, the park will be more inviting at night, look more spectacular, and feel safer for locals. It is also expected to reduce vandalism. Locals have been enthusiastic about making this public space more versatile and welcoming, Collinson says: “This really is a project for the people, and it’s going to make a permanent improvement.”
Funding goal and timeline
Work on the pond and garden lighting is planned for completion by December 2025, but the full $30,000 required is still being raised. Light Up the Domain operates under the umbrella of the local business association and is working with the Council on additional support while seeking further donations.
For Collinson, the effort is personal: “I came to Te Aroha 20 years ago to be with my mum in her later life, and I fell in love with it. I have a hair salon here, and 80% of my time is spent working on my business, so I spend the other 20% giving back to the community – you’ve got to have that balance in life.”
Tauhei Solar Farm powering Te Aroha and beyond
Once complete, Tauhei Solar Farm will be the largest in Aotearoa, with a 202 MWp capacity from 35,000 solar panels spread across 182 hectares. It will generate enough renewable electricity to power all the homes in the Matamata-Piako District (around 15,000) as well as those in the neighbouring Hauraki and South Waikato Districts (each with around 10,000 homes, according to Infometrics).
Find out More: Tauhei Solar Farm
Image credit: Te Aroha Domain
