IT must serve all society

By Adam Gifford

Maori believe technology is not neutral, but is underpinned by the values and ethics of the society around it.

That's the view put by Manuka Henare, a senior lecturer in Maori business development at Auckland University's school of business and economics.

He will expand on this tomorrow at a Telecommunications Users Association (TUANZ) Impact 99 lunch-time seminar at 1-11 Short St, Auckland.

The seminar series aims to explore the social and cultural implications of communications technologies for New Zealand.

Mr Henare says the Maori view of technology must be taken into account by those influencing the country's technology infrastructure.

"In our democratic societies we must make sure IT is available to all or it will become the tool only of the rich and powerful, which is not good for society in general," Mr Henare says.

It's this thinking which is, in part, driving the Treaty of Waitangi claims to radio frequency spectrums.

"In 1840 no one used radio frequencies, so one treaty partner can't claim a development right and deny that right to the other partner.

"If the treaty is truly a partnership, wherever the Crown goes, so too does its Maori partner. If the Crown discover airwaves and frequencies and turns them into a property right, the same applies to its partner," he says.

When a new technology comes into culture "the people should be able to put their own cloak on it."

Inuit people from northern Canada, for example, come from all over the new territory, he says. They don't have roads, so they can only use phones, faxes and the Internet to speak to each other.

"IT has made it possible for them to have sovereignty over this vast territory. In a virtual state, time and space are no longer a problem."

The Maori quest for new knowledge and technology was evident from the first contact with Europeans, Mr Henare says.

"When Hongi Hika went to England in 1820 he was searching for mineral engineers because he hoped he could mine iron in North Auckland."

Apart from shopping for muskets there, he spent time at Cambridge University helping prepare a dictionary of Maori for the Church Missionary Society. This paved the way, Mr Henare says, for the huge explosion in Maori literacy in the years leading up to the treaty.

"Associated with the acquisition of knowledge were adaptations in the culture necessary to utilise new technology. They were adapting old systems to new ones.

"At the same time there is a quest to maintain tradition when changes take place. Maori still insist on looking from a traditional perspective, but they are not opposed to new technology."

Mr Henare proposes two principles to address the ethical and moral issues involved in IT.

"Information technology must serve the needs of a society and culture and enhance the individuals and groups in that society, and it must ensure the common good is served."

For more information on the seminar telephone 488-1888 ext 304.