Key Findings

• The Simpā toolkit has been a successful collaboration in many ways; it is evidence of a successful Treaty relationship and provides benefits to both partners. This relationship, which has arisen out of a formal agreement between the Rūnaka and Otago Polytechnic itself, is a model that could be useful for other government departments. The development of treaty-based Māori intellectual property as a process has added to the learning of Otago Polytechnics’ researchers and staff.
• The use of Simpā as both a complement to, and a way of telling and recording history and whakapapa, is innovative and a platform that can send that history to people who are based anywhere around the globe, creating and strengthening their connection with Ngāi Tahu and New Zealand.
• As well as the connection, Simpā is a way of passing on whakapapa to future generations in an interactive and interesting way, ensuring the retention of important aspects of our history. It is also a fun way to share our history with groups who come to experience noho marae. “It starts your imagination working. I want to know more and to revisit these places” (Anon.: kōrero-a-waha, Puketeraki, 2009). 

Key Recommendations