Te Pā Tūwatawata - Aotearoa New Zealand’s first decentralised, Māori-owned data storage network

Designed by Te Kāhui Raraunga, Te Pā Tūwatawata is built to give iwi, hapū, whānau, and Māori organisations full control over their own data.

Taking its name from the Pā Tūwatawata - a place of strength and security, positioned strategically within the rohe to defend and provide for those within its confines - Te Pā Tūwatawata was created in response to iwi Māori calling for sovereignty over their data.

Rāhui Papa, Data Iwi Leaders Group and Te Kāhui Raraunga Chairperson says that Te Pā Tūwatawata privileges mātauranga Māori at its centre.

“Our data belongs to us. It must be held by us and governed by us, according to our own tikanga and kawa.”

Following a successful pilot phase, Te Pā Tūwatawata is now ready to deliver storage and repository services nationally and, in time, internationally.

The pilot saw seven Points of Presence (PoPs) established across Aotearoa, spanning sustainable data centres, marae and iwi Māori enterprises including Te Kāhui Raraunga’s own headquarters.

Rikirangi Gage, Te Kāhui Raraunga Trustee, says the pilot proved that sovereign, decentralised infrastructure works both technically, environmentally and culturally.

“Te Pā Tūwatawata does not just store data. It stores who we are, in a way that reflects our values as iwi Māori,” says Rikirangi.

A Premium, Sovereign Data Solution

Te Pā Tūwatawata provides the highest levels of end-to-end encryption of data, both in transit and at rest, and is fully S3-compatible, making it straightforward to integrate with existing systems. It is 100% New Zealand-owned, with storage locations chosen by the customer, subject to their own tikanga and kawa.

The network is designed to remove the risks posed by dependence on foreign data systems and overseas infrastructure. This includes risks around jurisdiction, data treatment, and environmental sustainability. Infrastructure scales from marae-level to enterprise-grade, right-sized to each customer’s needs.

Realising Māori Data Sovereignty

Te Pā Tūwatawata is a cornerstone of a longer-term programme by Te Kāhui Raraunga to realise Māori data sovereignty, establishing sovereign infrastructure that keeps iwi Māori data in iwi Māori hands.

Erena Mikaere, Principal Advisor for Te Pā Tūwatawata, highlights that the launch also opens pathways for workforce development as well as regional digital economy investment across iwi, hapū, and whānau.

“Our mokopuna, the future generations, are the drivers for this mahi. Data is a taonga, and data is a strategic asset, these two concepts can co-exist in the right environment, with the right governance. Te Pā Tūwatawata is that environment. Our people will be at the forefront of a future digital workforce and Te Pā Tūwatawata provides the foundation of a digital future we can lead and be proud of.” says Erena.

Looking ahead, Te Kāhui Raraunga sees potential for other Indigenous nations and like-minded organisations who share the values and aspirations of Te Pā Tūwatawata to partner and invest in the network as it expands internationally.

Register Your Expression of Interest

Te Pā Tūwatawata is on-boarding an initial wave of customers and will be available to discuss the needs of other marae, hapū, iwi or organisations who wish to store their data within the protections of this Pā. To register your expression of interest or to receive updates, visit tepatuwatawata.io

Ko Te Pā Tūwatawata he whatunga pūrokiroki raraunga kua tukuna ki ngā rohe, kua hoahoatia e te Māori, hei tiaki i ō tātou taonga, i ō tātou mātauranga e taea ana te whakamatihiko.

Te Pā Tūwatawata is a decentralised, iwi-designed, Māori-owned data storage network that protects our digitalisable taonga and mātauranga.

Photo caption: Erena Mikaere, Principal Advisor for Te Pā Tūwatawata at the launch of Te Pā Tūwatawata.