In our recent Mātauranga session, we were honoured to welcome Engie Matene and Amber Craig, who are integrating technology with te ao Māori. Their insights offered a thoughtful exploration of how modern tech can be rooted in cultural principles, ensuring it serves our people and honours our heritage.
Q1: How do you integrate Mātauranga Māori with your tech work?
Engie shared how she ensures that the technology she creates aligns with Māori values, starting with the community’s needs and respecting cultural heritage.
“It’s crucial that the tech we create is not just innovative, but also meaningful to our people. We need to think about how it impacts our communities and the land.”
Amber highlighted her commitment to sustainability and cultural preservation in her projects, emphasising that technology should support not just present needs but also future generations.
“Our focus is on creating solutions that are sustainable, that respect our environment, and that preserve the knowledge and practices handed down to us.”
Q2: Can you give examples of specific technologies or projects you are working on?
Engie discussed her involvement with Āhau, an open-source tool designed to empower communities while safeguarding Māori data sovereignty.
“We’re creating tools that allow our people to stay in control of their data, ensuring it’s used in ways that align with our values.”
Amber detailed several of her projects, including Te Whare Hangahanga, which reimagines how we build whare by integrating mātauranga Māori, and Kia Whitirere Ngā Taonga, focusing on using technology to protect our native species and environments.
Q3: How do you see technology helping us reconnect with our tupuna whenua?
Both speakers emphasised the importance of technology in reconnecting with our ancestral lands, with Engie noting that tech can be a bridge to preserving and enhancing our connection to whenua, ensuring it remains a vital part of our identity and well-being.
Q4: What advice do you have for others looking to bring modern tech back to our communities?
Engie and Amber both encouraged aspiring technologists to start by understanding the needs of their communities and to approach technology as a tool for empowerment. Amber added that it’s essential to remain guided by the values of our ancestors, ensuring that progress does not come at the expense of cultural integrity.
Q5: What challenges do you face in integrating technology with Mātauranga Māori?
Amber highlighted the importance of ensuring that technology serves our cultural values, rather than compromising them. She noted the challenges of balancing innovation with the preservation of traditional practices, but emphasised that by staying true to our principles, these challenges can be overcome.
“The biggest challenge is ensuring that in our push for innovation, we don’t lose sight of our roots. We need to make sure that our advancements don’t come at the expense of our cultural identity.”
Engie spoke about the need for continuous learning and adapting in the face of new technological challenges, while still maintaining a strong connection to our cultural heritage.
“Tech is always changing, and it can be a challenge to keep up while staying grounded in our values. But it’s a journey worth taking, as long as we stay connected to who we are.”
In conclusion, we extend our deepest thanks to Engie and Amber for sharing their whakaaro and for their continued efforts in weaving together technology and Mātauranga Māori. Their work is a powerful reminder that modern innovation can and should be rooted in the wisdom of our tupuna.
