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Rangahau · Internship project

Māori Data Sovereignty

About this research

Intern

Rihipeti-Paerau Forbes, Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland

Supervisor

Professor Tahu Kukutai, University of Waikato

Overview

Māori data sovereignty is crucial to the advancement of whānau, iwi, and hapū in that it is one of the ways forward for Māori when considering the protection of our information and data. 

This internship looked into Māori data sovereignty practices and how we are moving forward in the way in which we protect our data. What is data vs Māori data? How do we practice Māori data sovereignty? Where is our data going in facial recognition technology? These are all questions tackled in producing a three-part series of research briefs that are easy for all Māori to comprehend, with a focus on whānau Māori.

How do we protect our data as Māori? This internship explored Māori data sovereignty—what it means, how it’s practiced, and why it matters. Through a series of easy-to-understand research briefs, the project supports whānau Māori to better understand and navigate issues like facial recognition technology and the future of our digital information.

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