Summary

This research explores how Kaupapa Māori Research principles can be reflected in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) co-design methods.

Māori are the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand. The Māori worldview and knowledge systems offer unique perspectives and approaches to problem solving, which have been widely applied across technical, environmental, social, academic, and commercial spaces.

Within HCI, co-design is frequently used for collaborative research into Māori knowledge systems — from digital tikanga (traditional Māori practices interpreted in digital spaces) to digital tourism, environmental sustainability, and health systems. Despite this widespread application, there is little guidance on how to align co-design methods with Māori ways of knowing and doing, which can limit the research impact for all stakeholders.

More widely, this research aims to improve co-design outcomes involving specialised knowledge systems, particularly knowledge systems which support marginalized or vulnerable groups, by developing a more nuanced understanding of co-design methods grounded in Kaupapa Māori Research principles.

Acknowledgement

This PhD is funded by the University of Canterbury Aho Hīnātore ǀ Accelerator Scholarship.

Researcher and Contact

Hēmi Ateremu McNeill (Ngāti Moko, Tapuika, Te Arawa)

This research is led by Hēmi Ateremu McNeill (Ngāti Moko, Tapuika, Te Arawa), a Māori academic with a background in advocacy within the health, education, and justice sectors, and an academic background in Computer Science and Human Interface Technology.

Supervisory Team

• • Prof Heide Lukosch, HIT Lab NZ, University of Canterbury
  • Haumera Kahi, Aotahi School of Māori and Indigenous Studies, University of Canterbury

UC People