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An agreement between Te Tumu Paeroa, the Office of the Māori Trustee, and a tech giant company is reshaping the landscape of data sovereignty in New Zealand. This highlights the increasing significance of digital technology in ensuring data autonomy and security in Aotearoa. Te Tumu Paeroa has successfully agreed with a tech giant company to transfer its data from offshore servers to a local data centre in New Zealand.
This move ensures that data management aligns with Māori cultural principles, particularly the concept of kaitiakitanga, or guardianship. Unlike traditional data management agreements, where tech companies often retain significant control, this deal empowers the data owners – the Māori communities – with the encryption keys, ensuring that the management and use of data are governed by Māori tikanga (customs) rather than foreign corporate policies.
Dr Karaitiana Taiuru, an AI and data ethicist, underscores the significance of this achievement. This perspective is critical in the context of data that pertains to collective identities, such as DNA or facial recognition data. This initiative is a significant step forward in New Zealand’s digital technology sector, demonstrating how culturally sensitive data management can be integrated into modern technological frameworks.
Associate Professor Gehan Gunasekara, a commercial law expert at the University of Auckland, reminded people that while localising data storage is a positive move, more is needed to guarantee better data protection. He said that illustrates that data sovereignty is not merely about the physical location but also the legal structures governing data use and security.
Māori Data Sovereignty asserts that Māori data should be governed by Māori, supporting tribal sovereignty and advancing Māori and Iwi aspirations. Te Mana Raraunga was conceived during a July 2015 workshop by Māori researchers and practitioners, focusing on Indigenous data sovereignty and the implications of UNDRIP. The inaugural meeting on Māori Data Sovereignty took place on 19 October 2015, leading to the formation of Te Mana Raraunga as a Māori Data Sovereignty Network.
As highlighted by OpenGov, one of the key initiatives in this endeavour is developing and implementing the Digital Identity Trust Framework (DISTF) Act. This legislation is a cornerstone in New Zealand’s strategy to protect data, enhance privacy, and secure digital transactions, particularly in the fight against online fraud. The DISTF Act is not just about tightening security measures; it also thoughtfully incorporates non-digital alternatives, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of technological access or expertise, can navigate the transition smoothly.
To be more into the culture, data sovereignty in New Zealand is further strengthened through collaborative efforts between key government entities, including the Government’s Chief Digital Officer and Chief Data Steward. This partnership is central to modernising public services and ensuring that data protection is woven into New Zealand’s digital infrastructure.
Introducing the Consumer Data Right/Consumer Privacy Data (CDR/CPD) Bill is another significant step toward achieving data sovereignty. This bill, which includes a critical digital identity component, aims to empower consumers by giving them greater control over their data. However, the bill also presents challenges, particularly for stakeholders in New Zealand’s relatively small market, who must navigate the complexities of compliance while balancing the demands of innovation and consumer protection.
As New Zealand continues to navigate the complex interplay between digital technology and data sovereignty, the Māori data sovereignty deal with a giant tech company stands as a pioneering example. It offers valuable insights into how data can be managed in a way that respects cultural values while also addressing the broader challenges posed by global digital infrastructures. The success of this initiative may well pave the way for future developments in New Zealand’s approach to data sovereignty, ensuring that digital technology serves the interests of all its citizens, both now and in the future.
