Update: All Māori Data Sovereignty posts have been combined and updated into a Compendium of Māori Data Sovereignty – https://www.taiuru.co.nz/compendium-of-maori-data-sovereignty/
These widely recognised principles are from Te Mana Rauranga and have been slightly modified to recognise tikanga Māori and all of Māori societies, modern and traditional and to ensure that the principles are future proofed for Māori society.
01 Rangatiratanga | Authority
1.1 Control.
Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi, marae, rōpū Māori have an inherent rights to exercise control over Māori data and Māori data ecosystems.
This right includes, but is not limited to, the creation, collection, access, analysis, interpretation, management, security, dissemination, use and reuse of Māori data.
1.2 Jurisdiction.
Decisions about the physical and virtual storage of Māori data shall enhance control for current and future generations. Whenever possible, Māori data shall be stored in New Zealand.
1.3 Self-determination.
Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi, marae, rōpū Māori have the right to data that is relevant and empowers sustainable self-determination and effective self-governance and the right to request removal of data that is contrary to tikanga or is disempowers or is bias against Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi, marae, rōpū Māori.
02 Whakapapa | Identity
2.1 Context. All data has a whakapapa (genealogy) and a mauri.
Accurate metadata should, at minimum, provide information about the provenance of the data, the purpose(s) for its collection, the context of its collection, and the parties involved.
2.2 Data disaggregation.
The ability to disaggregate Māori data increases its relevance for Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi, marae, rōpū Māori. Māori data shall be collected and coded using categories that prioritise Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi, marae, rōpū Māori needs and aspirations.
2.3 Future use.
Current decision-making over data can have long-term consequences, good and bad, for future generations of all Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi, marae, rōpū Māori. A key goal of Māori data governance should be to protect against future harm.
03 Whanaungatanga | Obligations
3.1 Balancing rights.
Individuals’ rights (including privacy rights), risks and benefits in relation to data need to be balanced with those of whānau, hapū, iwi, marae, rōpū Māori of which they are a part. In some contexts, collective Māori rights will prevail over those of individuals.
3.2 Accountabilities.
Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi, marae, rōpū Māori are responsible for the creation, collection, analysis, management, access, security or dissemination of Māori data have intergenerational accountability to Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi, marae, rōpū Māori from whom the data derive.
04 Kotahitanga | Collective benefit
4.1 Benefit.
Data ecosystems shall be designed and function in ways that enable Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi, marae, rōpū Māori to derive individual and collective benefits now and for future generations.
4.2 Build capacity.
Māori Data Sovereignty requires the development of a Māori workforce to enable the creation, collection, management, security, governance and application of data.
4.3 Connect.
Connections between Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi, marae, rōpū Māori and other Indigenous peoples shall be supported to enable the sharing of strategies, resources and ideas in relation to data, and the attainment of common goals.
05 Manaakitanga | Reciprocity
5.1 Respect.
The collection, use and interpretation of data shall uphold the dignity of Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi, marae, rōpū Māori. Data analysis that stigmatises or blames Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi, marae, rōpū Māori can result in collective and individual harm and should be actively avoided.
5.2 Consent.
Free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) is one of declarations of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and shall underpin the collection and use of all data from or about Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi, marae, rōpū Māori.
06 Kaitiakitanga | Guardianship
6.1 Māori Data is ever only loan.
Māori data shall be stored and transferred in such a way that it enables and reinforces the capacity of Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi, marae, rōpū Māori to exercise kaitiakitanga over Māori data. Non Māori can not own Māori data.
6.2 Ethics.
Tikanga (traditional Māori law), kawa (protocols), mātauranga (knowledge), Te Tiriti, He Whakaputanga and The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples shall underpin the protection, access and use of Māori data.
6.3 Restrictions.
Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi, marae, rōpū Māori shall decide which Māori data shall be accessed.
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