Digital Natives Academy (DNA) is proud to announce the launch of Mahere Mahi Taiao, our three-year Climate Action Plan setting out a bold, Māori-led pathway for climate education, digital sustainability, and community impact.
Digital Natives Academy (DNA) has today launched Mahere Mahi Taiao, a comprehensive three year Climate Action Plan that sets out a Māori led approach to climate education, digital sustainability and community partnership from 2025 to 2028.
Mahere Mahi Taiao outlines how DNA will combine Mātauranga Māori with digital innovation to equip rangatahi and whānau with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to navigate the growing impact of climate change. The plan introduces new initiatives across education, operations and community engagement, reflecting DNA’s commitment to both environmental responsibility and long term system wide transformation.
This plan is about rangatahi rising to meet the climate challenges of our time with identity, innovation and courage. Our future depends on it.” – Potaua Biasiny-Tule, Chief Strategy Officer, Digital Natives Academy
Embedding Climate Education in All Pathways
The plan confirms DNA’s intention to integrate climate resilience, sustainable design and circular economy thinking into all NZQA Levels 1 to 3 programmes delivered through Native Tech. Work has also begun on the development of a new Level 4 micro credential in Digital Sustainability and Indigenous Climate Action. This micro credential will blend mātauranga, digital skills, future focused thinking and applied environmental leadership.
Interactive learning will continue to play a major role. This includes the expansion of the Minecraft Climate Expo and the creation of youth led climate tech projects that allow students to design solutions grounded in kaitiakitanga and digital creativity.
Improving Environmental Performance Across Operations
DNA will undertake a Toitū aligned carbon assessment in 2025 to establish baseline emissions and guide the organisation’s decarbonisation strategy. Other operational goals include adopting energy efficient digital practices, transitioning learning hubs to lower energy equipment and implementing a sustainable procurement policy that prioritises ethical, local and environmentally responsible suppliers.
Strengthening Community and Indigenous Partnerships
Mahere Mahi Taiao highlights DNA’s focus on collective action. Over the next three years, DNA will build new partnerships with kura and community organisations to co deliver short climate modules that use both digital tools and mātauranga based teaching. DNA will also make climate resources freely available through a bilingual open source hub and expand international connections with indigenous climate programmes across the Pacific, Canada and the United States.
Transparent Measurement and Youth Centred Leadership
Evaluation will be guided by DNA’s Theory of Change and Standard of Proof frameworks, ensuring that progress is recorded through clear evidence and learner centred insights. Rangatahi will be directly involved in impact measurement to ensure their experiences shape how success is defined.
Expected Outcomes by 2028
By the end of the three year plan, DNA aims to achieve the following outcomes:
- More than 4,000 rangatahi engaged in climate learning and leadership activities
- A 25 percent reduction in organisational emissions
- A 50 percent diversion of e waste from landfill
- A fully developed Level 3 to 4 micro credential in Digital Sustainability and Indigenous Climate Action
- Strengthened Māori led climate education networks across Aotearoa and internationally
A Commitment to Future Generations
Mahere Mahi Taiao reflects DNA’s belief that climate action must be grounded in identity, culture and innovation. By uniting digital technology with mātauranga, DNA aims to empower Māori and indigenous youth to lead with purpose and create a future where people, place and planet can thrive.