Protecting the heartwood: How can tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori inform the construction of digital identities and relational responsibilities to data in Aotearoa New Zealand?

Abstract

A report prepared by Danielle Lucas as part of the Tikanga in Technology research projectThis report analyses seven existing frameworks to identify how tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori can inform the construction of digital identities in Aotearoa New Zealand. From the above frameworks, it is possible to see emerging common principles that have been applied to different aspects of the digital landscape including, whakapapa, kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga, kotahitanga and rangatiratanga. Whakapapa shows us that there is a relational and communal aspect to all data that underpins digital identities, and that Māori digital identities may expand to include the non-human such as mountains, rivers and marae. Whakapapa could both be a tool for identification in the digital space and a reminder of our connection to other digital identities as through whakapapa Māori are connected to the digital identities of tangata and taonga Māori. Whakapapa shows us that these connections are communal creating obligations for individual and groups. Kaitiakitanga in digital identification reminds us of our obligations to safeguard the digital identities of tangata and taonga Māori, including preserving certain tikanga conditions. Information shared during the construction of digital identification may also be subject to these obligations, and Māori communities should consider what kind of information they are sharing in this process. At the same time, digital identities may provide a way for people to perform their kaitiaki obligation by providing secure access to digital taonga. Manaakitanga implores us to use digital identification as a way to empower, uplift and respect people, place and taonga. This can be done by ensuring that only necessary information is collected with free, prior and informed consent and by caring for all information that is shared in the construction of a digital identity. Kotahitanga is about collective benefit and working together. It encourages us to think of inclusive criteria and share the benefit of any data collected when constructing digital identities. It also highlights the importance of interoperability across hapū, iwi and indigenous peoples to allow connection and collaboration. While rangatiratanga call for Māori communities to provide their own digital identification services that incorporate tikanga and mātauranga Māori.