Data Iwi Leaders Group have challenged Government as it increasingly offshores New Zealand data, saying there are long-term benefits to investing in local data infrastructure instead.

Offshoring data refers to the replacement of Government agencies backing offshoring New Zealand – including Maori - data, cite greater security and reduced costs as key factors.

However Data Iwi Leaders Group (Data ILG), through its operational arm, Te Kahui Raraunga, say Government should instead strengthen and invest in local options for data onshoring and procurement.

In a new report commissioned by Te Kahui Raraunga, titled Maori data sovereignty and offshoring Maori data, international experts challenge assumptions that local services are inherently less secure and less reliable.

Data ILG Technician and co-author, Professor Tahu Kukutai, says the paper highlights how four Maori data sovereignty principles (control, jurisdiction, accountabilities and guardianship) are relevant to issues of data storage and jurisdiction.

“Considering a suite of options, including strategic investment in locally-hosted solutions would both enhance the public service drive for digital transformation and give greater effect to Maori data sovereignty.”

She says upholding the principles of Maori data sovereignty is crucial for the Government to meet its responsibilities to Te Tiriti.

The paper recommends that Maori, as a Tiriti partner, are involved in policy setting and system-level decisions regarding the digital public service transformation, All-of- Government procurement policies and use of onshore and offshore Cloud-based services.

The paper also recommends Maori data sovereignty requirements are incorporated into contractual agreements for the use of onshore and offshore Cloud-based services.

“Government needs to take a more long-term strategic approach to treating data as an intergenerational taonga and invest in a wider range of options beyond public Cloud (offshore),” Professor Kukutai says.

The paper identifies that a proactive approach to strengthening local infrastructure also aligns with calls to invest in developing local workforce capability to lift Aotearoa’s global competitiveness.

Data ILG signed a Mana Orite Relationship agreement with the Department of Internal Affairs and the Government Chief Digital Officer in June 2021.

Together, the organisations are working to provide a te ao Maori lens over how Maori data sovereignty can and should be considered through the Government's adoption of Cloud services.

Data ILG Chairman, Rahui Papa, says Maori data sovereignty offers a holistic, tikanga- led approach that is inherently relational and is about driving towards better data relationships for all.

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