What We Do

Digitaonga works in partnership with iwi/hapū and museums to preserve, reconnect, and repatriate taonga tūturu.

  • PRESERVE

    3D Scan.

    Gather research material including stories, sounds, images.

    Register indigenous ownership on the blockchain.

  • RECONNECT

    Create rich immersive experiences telling authentic stories.

    Share.

    Log public support for repatriation on the blockchain.

  • REPATRIATE

    Loan digital taonga as an incentive for physical repatriation.

    Use digital taonga to reconnect when physical repatriation unfeasible.

We use 3D scanning to create high resolution digital taonga. These scans preserve taonga for future generations. They can be registered on the blockchain and encoded with historically accurate information from the iwi and hapū about the whakapapa of the taonga. From there, we’ll co-create digital immersive experiences that enhance the mana of the taonga and capture its story as told by the iwi and hapū who are connected to it. These could be viewed as web-based experiences, AR/VR, holographic exhibitions, among other possibilities. The digital taonga can be used as part of repatriation efforts. Repatriation is a spectrum, so this may take the form of digital repatriation: digital taonga created and owned by iwi and hapū; as well as physical repatriation whereby museums are loaned digital taonga in exchange for the return of the original.

WHY NOW

LOCAL

Digitisation and decentralized ownership and storage can assist conservation and long-term preservation efforts, including n the wake of weather events.

Accessible and immersive digital experiences can enhance collective identity, pride and understanding through offering intimate ways to connect, experience and learn about taonga.

GLOBAL

Curators in museums around the world are eager to connect with communities of origin, value high quality data, understand needs for security, and are increasingly committed to repatriating taonga. Public interest levels to learn about indigenous knowledge and repatriate taonga are high.

3D scanning produces high quality data, and decentralized networks secure ownership and data sovereignty.

What We’ve Achieved

  • 2021    Original idea to presented to TUA/MDS executive

  • Nov 2021   MDS Ethics Approval received

  • Jan 2022   Summer research scholarships awarded to co-founders

  • Jan 2022   Dr. Moana Nepia and Erin Rogatski recruited

  • Feb 2022  Research with museum professionals commences

  • Sept 2022  In person meetings with possible museum partners

  • Oct 2022    First External Advisory Group meeting

  • Dec 2022   Ministry for Culture and Heritage grant finalised

  • Feb 2023  Renaming and branding project begins

  • May 2023  Discussion with museum professional in UK takes place

  • Jun 2023  Collaboration with Auckland Council begins

  • Oct 2023  Scanning and Demo of Waharoa experience complete