Science and Innovation Minister, Steven Joyce, and Māori Development Minister, Te Ururoa Flavell, have announced the opening of applications for the Māori Digital Technology Development Fund, saying it will support greater participation by Māori in New Zealand’s digital technology industries.
The $30m fund will be a joint programme between Te Puni Kōkiri and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, with Te Puni Kōkiri as the lead agency. It was established as part of Budget 2014 as the Māori ICT Development Fund.The money will be spread over six years.
Flavell said the fund would support access to the Māori language and culture through ICT by developing delivery mechanisms for Māori language content and supporting content production.
“Applications which demonstrate collaboration across government, iwi, business and community organisations through utilisation of other funding pools or other contributions will be looked on favourably and are encouraged,” he said.
Joyce said Māori were under-represented in the digital sector. “This fund will also support the development of the skills necessary to participate fully in our digital future. The long-term objective is to create high value jobs and opportunities that advance Māori in digital technologies.”
The funding priorities are:
- improving digital skills and pathways for Māori in digital technologies;
- growing digital technologies businesses;
- enhancing new Māori language and culture initiatives through digital technologies;