Te Ao Māori principles
This section explains important Māori values and principles that Māori technologists and data experts identified. Consider these design principles and the AWS Well-Architected Framework pillars when creating a culturally-responsive Māori data framework.
These considerations explain what matters to Māori and why. Use these considerations as you start designing your systems. Work with your Māori customers to understand the tikanga (the specific customary practices and protocols) to consider throughout the development process.
For example, customers may wish to consider the following high level Māori principles when working with Māori data:
This list is not exhaustive. Consider other principles that relate to your organisation.
Kaitiakitanga
People are increasingly digitising, sharing, and preserving knowledge, culture, and history. This principle is about the care and protection of this digital taonga (treasure) for generations to come. People entrusted with Māori data can learn different options for preserving this important digital taonga. Kaitiakitanga supports the other principles and puts emphasis on the importance of protecting and preserving that data for future generations. Use this principle to guide decisions on how to collect, store, use, and protect data.
Kotahitanga
Kotahitanga describes the unity of a group of people and the ability to move together toward a shared goal. From a data perspective, you can apply this principle to understand insights and make informed decisions that benefit the collective.
Manaakitanga
This principle is closely related to kaitiakitanga. Manaakitanga is part of the actions that make up kaitiakitanga. This includes the process for engagement, hospitality, and creating the experience so that Māori genuinely know they are welcome. Using this principle includes taking a collaborative approach, developing solutions alongside partners, and potentially thinking about what this means from a Māori perspective. Applying manaakitanga may include developing a technology solution that can be used across multiple devices, enhancing accessibility through different formats and functionalities.
Rangatiratanga
Rangatiratanga is the ability to have sovereignty, leadership, and autonomy to make decisions and determine the direction you take. For example, an individual or the community has the necessary data-driven tools to determine the right journey and make decisions.
Whanaungatanga
Whanaungatanga is about relationships. In the context of the AWS Well-Architected Framework pillars, this means the relationships Māori have with data. This includes but is not limited to connecting, maintaining, sharing, and growing data. You may want to consider knowledge development, interoperability of application programming, interfaces (APIs), and open data usage.
Whakapapa
Whakapapa relates to genealogy and where we come from. For many Māori, connection to their iwi, hapū, and whānau is important. The connection is ongoing and connects people to their ancestry, ancestral history, culture, and the understanding of who they are as a people in the past, present, and future. Tracking data, where it originates from, and where it was accessed could reflect this principle.
These principles are important te ao Māori principles and we encourage users of this lens
to learn more. For more detail, see Te Ara Encyclopedia of
New Zealand
