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As Aotearoa New Zealand continues its journey toward a thriving digital economy, it’s clear that technology must evolve alongside cultural responsibility. At the heart of this is Māori Data Sovereignty -Te Mana Raraunga o te Māori, and the growing need for transparent, ethical cloud solutions that align with indigenous values.
TEAM Cloud, powered by open-source innovation and backed by trusted iwi partnerships like Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira (Ngāti Toa), is enabling businesses to modernise while respecting sovereignty, tikanga, and whānau-first data practices.
Open-source cloud technologies built on platforms like Kubernetes, OpenStack, and Apache Kafka, give organisations full visibility and control over how their data is managed. These tools are configurable, auditable, and free from vendor lock-in, making them ideal for businesses that want to innovate without surrendering ownership or control.
For organisations that prioritise Māori Data Sovereignty, this transparency is critical. Open-source platforms allow for data environments that are governed by local laws and tikanga, reducing risk and supporting kaupapa Māori approaches to privacy, access, and use.
Māori Data Sovereignty recognises that data is not just a digital asset. It's an extension of whakapapa, whenua, and identity. It must be governed in a way that reflects tikanga Māori, supports Māori aspirations, and ensures that Māori communities benefit from its use.
Too often, traditional cloud environments subject data to external jurisdiction and control, placing it at risk of being accessed, monetised, or used in ways that conflict with Māori values. Ethical cloud infrastructure must support Māori communities in maintaining mana over their own data.
You can learn more about Māori Data Sovereignty models here.
TEAM Cloud offers the best of both worlds: enterprise-grade, open-source cloud infrastructure hosted entirely within NZ, and managed by a 100% NZ-owned business, TEAM IM. This local-first approach ensures:
Full data residency in NZ. All data is hosted exclusively in TEAM Cloud's two isolated cloud regions in Auckland North and South - ensuring it never leaves NZ jurisdiction.
Managed and supported by New Zealanders – 24/7 local support with cultural and regulatory understanding.
Significantly reduced exposure to foreign legal frameworks, including the U.S. CLOUD Act.
Compliance aligned with NZ law and Māori governance. Embedding tikanga into infrastructure and policy.
TEAM Cloud aims to work directly with Māori organisations to design cloud solutions that reflect their specific values, needs, and governance preferences. From supporting whenua-based projects to safeguarding whānau data and health initiatives, we offer customisable infrastructure grounded in manaakitanga, transparency, and protection.
Through our collaboration with Ngāti Toa, we ensure that Māori voices are represented not just in cloud adoption, but in cloud design, governance, and operations.
Open-source platforms offer unparalleled visibility, which is essential for ethical data use. With TEAM Cloud, organisations can be confident that Māori data is stored, processed, and protected in a way that aligns with tikanga, while remaining secure and compliant.
Our solutions are also built to scale, giving Māori communities and businesses access to cutting-edge cloud technologies without compromising sovereignty.
As digital transformation accelerates across Aotearoa New Zealand, it's time to ensure that cloud adoption is ethical, sovereign, and inclusive. TEAM Cloud is proud to stand at the intersection of open-source innovation and Māori Data Sovereignty, delivering future-ready infrastructure that protects identity, empowers communities, and respects whakapapa.
If your organisation is exploring cloud solutions that support sovereign control, cultural alignment, and open-source transparency, let’s talk.
Contact TEAM Cloud today to begin your journey towards a more ethical, powerful, and locally governed cloud future.