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Ethics and consent

Purpose​

This page outlines ethical responsibilities when creating, analysing, and sharing Māori geospatial data. It focuses on trust, care, and long term impacts rather than minimum legal requirements.

Consent must be:

  • Given before data is collected or digitised

  • Based on clear explanation of purpose and risks

  • Specific to the agreed use

  • Able to be withdrawn

Mapping data does not create consent by default.

GIS projects often evolve. New layers, new outputs, or new audiences may change the original intent.

Good practice includes:

  • Checking consent when scope changes

  • Not assuming consent applies to new uses

  • Revisiting decisions when publishing or sharing

Sensitive spatial data​

Sensitive data may include:

  • Wāhi tapu and wāhi tūpuna

  • Urupā and burial sites

  • Cultural landscapes

  • Resources under pressure or dispute

Sensitivity is not always obvious from the data itself and must be understood through engagement.

Managing visibility and access​

Options for reducing risk include:

  • Generalising locations

  • Masking attributes

  • Limiting scale or resolution

  • Using role based access controls

  • Publishing summaries instead of raw data

Public does not mean appropriate.

Avoiding harm​

Potential harms include:

  • Enabling exploitation or vandalism

  • Undermining cultural authority

  • Misinterpretation without context

  • Pressure to disclose more data

Ethical practice requires actively thinking about misuse, not just intended use.

Accountability​

Ethical decisions should be:

  • Documented

  • Reviewable

  • Able to be explained

Responsibility continues after publication.