A Māori technology entrepreneur has teamed up with industry peak body NZ Tech and Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi to try to map the Māori tech sector.
Kaye-Maree Dunn from Making Everything Achievable says the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment-funded project will help bring a tangata whenua perspective to the government’s effort to develop an industry transformation plan.
The project is starting with surveys to capture the views of Maori interested in the tech sector, Maori-led tech companies, Māori and non-Māori influencers, supporters and educators, and rangatahi.
Ms Dunn says Māori can be owners, leaders and influencers in technology, but they need the support and involvement of whānau, hapū and iwi.
“This research we are doing will help I hope inform our iwi leaders of the potential and the barriers. Especially if the crown is not in a position to step in, can our iwi play a role in supporting technology initiatives to really flourish in their community?” she says.
Ms Dunn also wants to see whānau create their own tikanga and kawa around technology.
The surveys are at:
1. Māori Interested in the Tech Sector: https://bit.ly/MaoriAndTechMaoriInterest
2. Māori Led-Tech Companies: https://bit.ly/MaoriAndTechMaoriLedTechCompanies
3. Māori and Non-Māori Influencers, Supporters and Educators growing Māori participation in the Tech Sector https://bit.ly/MaoriAndTechInfluencersAndEducators
4. Māori Tech Sector & Rangatahi: https://bit.ly/MaoriTechSectorAndRangatahi
