Kaitiakitanga in the Digital Age
Empowering Rangatahi for Climate Action
At Digital Natives Academy (DNA), we believe that kaitiakitanga, the guardianship of our whenua, moana, and taiao, is a fundamental part of our kaupapa. As a kaupapa Māori tech academy led by and for rangatahi, we are committed to equipping the next generation of digital leaders to become climate-literate, action-oriented, and deeply grounded in values of sustainability, reciprocity, and care for our planet.
We embed climate change education throughout our programmes and creative projects to ensure every learner understands their role as a kaitiaki in the digital and physical worlds.
- Project Exploration
- E-Waste Repurposing: Turning discarded electronics into art and functional hardware while learning about the lifecycle of tech
Kai Sovereignty Labs: Exploring food security and sustainability through local maara kai initiatives Roblox and digital storytelling.
Whenua-Based Learning: Partnering with hapū to document the impacts of climate change on ancestral lands through video, VR, and oral histories.
Climate Gaming: Hosting climate-themed builds and challenges in Minecraft to visualise sustainable futures.
- Climate-Integrated Learning
Youth Engagement: 100% of our learners engage with climate themes in at least one project, whether through animation, coding, game design, or storytelling.
Empowering Youth Voice: Our digital tools amplify indigenous knowledge, empowering rangatahi to explore environmental challenges and solutions using platforms like Minecraft, Roblox, and Adobe Creative Cloud.