The Tuhoe post-settlement entity wants to help its various marae become self-sustainable so they can generate their own power and heating.
Te Uru Taumatua has developed the country's first so-called living building at Taneatua near Whakatane. It is not dependent on electricity or water, and has its own water recycling system.
The Tuhoe entity's chairman, Tamati Kruger, says it wants to see how well the building functions so it can encourage marae to use the materials such as earth bricks to retain heat.
He says the iwi will cover some of the cost for some of the material and later it will subsidise home owners to use environmentally friendly housing materials.
