The Pacific Data Sovereignty Trust (formerly the Pacific Data Sovereignty Network) was founded in 2021 to address gaps in how Pacific communities are represented in national data. The Trust was inspired by movements such as Te Mana Raraunga and the Global Indigenous Data Alliance (GIDA) and guided by the principle that “data is the new land,” ensuring that nothing about Pacific peoples is done without Pacific peoples.
The Trust provides a unified voice and collective guardianship of data and information about Pacific peoples living in Aotearoa. We advocate for Pacific data as a living taonga, reflecting our history, present realities, and future aspirations. Pacific data is understood, analysed, and shared through a Pacific lens, including digital spaces and platforms that shape Pacific lives. While data collected by government or other agencies is important, Pacific peoples must lead its interpretation and use.
The Trust is led by Chairperson Ivan Tava and three Trustees, and supported by a nine-member Advisory Group. The Secretariat is provided by Moana Connect, supporting coordination, research, and community engagement.
The Trust has formal partnerships with Stats NZ and the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, ensuring Pacific voices are central to national surveys, including the 2023 Census, and wider data initiatives. Recent collaborations, including work with Te Titoki Mataora, further strengthen the network’s capacity to support Pacific communities and uphold Pacific data sovereignty. Our work focuses on strengthening Pacific data equity, supporting community participation, and harnessing the potential of data to positively impact the wellbeing of Pacific peoples.
Today, the Pacific Data Sovereignty Trust continues to champion Pacific data sovereignty, particularly in the age of AI, ensuring that our communities retain control over their information and their stories.
“Data sovereignty is not just about ownership of the collection, storage, retrieval, accessibility, application and dissemination of individual groups and cultural information. It is about taking charge of our destiny. It allows for an understanding of who we are, where we came from, and where we aspire to go.”
