Using a co-design approach to develop ethical methods around co-design processes with and for Māori, this project heard from a range of mostly Māori participants about how to ensure best practice in co-design for Māori.
Problems and Purpose
The purpose of the initiative was to consider what co-design should look like for Māori, as well as what systems could enhance co-design practices and outcomes. [1] Specifically, the project sought to “[build] a pathway for improved practices in co-design with and by Māori and to further korero [discussion] around co-design ethics in a kaupapa [project] Māori context.” [2] A major focus of this initiative was the leadership and partnership with Māori in co-design processes and to ensure it is being done well, and not “mis-used” which can lead to further marginalization. [3]
Background History and Context
The reasoning behind this initiative stemmed from the increased use of co-design methods in a range of spaces, as well as for Māori issues and by Māori. [4] These approaches, while labelled as co-design, have been observed to vary in practice, highlighting the need to establish a guide for best practice in co-design and a shared understanding of what that is. [5]
There is also increasing interest and practice by Māori practitioners in utilizing co-design methods because when decision making for Māori issues is led by Māori people, thereby incorporating Māori practices and ways of knowing into the process, it can strengthen Māori ways of being. [6] In addition, co-design approaches seem to correlate well with Māori practice and values in many ways. [7] With that being said, co-design can also be seen as an “imported process that perpetuates colonial and Eurocentric mindsets and values,” thereby highlighting the need to ensure effective measures are in place so that a co-design process does not suppress, hinder or harm Māori people and ways. [8]
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
The project was predominantly led by Māori people and organizations, including Ngā Aho Māori Design Inc., and Tuakana Teina Evalutation Collective. It was supported by the Auckland Co-Design Lab. [9]
Participant Recruitment and Selection
Participants were mostly Māori who had engaged in co-design practices before. Participants were recruited through already existing relationships with colleagues from the project designers. Some invites were sent to additional people for subsequent project sessions. Many participants were working in a range of community or community/facing organizations and were recruited from across the country. [10]
Methods and Tools Used
Co-design practices.
Small group discussions.
Deliberation.
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
The introductory session involved participants getting to know each other and their genealogical backgrounds. [11] This was important for building relationship and respect for one another before the project got underway.
Moving on to subsequent sessions, small group discussions were held where participants shared about their co-design practices, specifically what “resources, tools, frameworks and methods” they used. [12] These discussions were led by specific remit questions around engagement with Māori for co-design. People moved around the groups to hear from and join the various discussions.
Subsequent sessions involved discussion around key areas in co-design, specifically “independent practitioners, evaluators, kaupapa māori / Indigenous researchers, academic institutes, service providers, government and local government entities.” [13] Sharing involved accounts of how participants have utilized co-design processes and why they approached it in certain ways. [14]
An important component of the discussions was acknowledging the stories of co-design practices and ensuring that respect for the sharer and context of the story is upheld throughout the process. [15]
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
Two key elements were persistently present throughout the project discussions for good co-design: integrity and an emphasis on relationship throughout the whole process. [16] There were many other important elements noted from the discussions for co-design practices, such as ensuring listening and understanding is prioritized, speaking simply, recognizing and respecting each person’s authority and agency, prioritizing relationship, thinking intergenerationally (both looking to people from the past and people to come in the future), and spending adequate time understanding Māori frameworks and practices. [17]
Challenges to good practice were also considered, including what it looks like if/when co-design is done poorly. This includes simply going through the motions when a decision has already been made, not valuing Māori participants, and misuse of Māori knowledge and practices. [18]
Outcomes from the hui include an enhanced network of co-design practitioners along with increased support for strengthening Maori-led practices in these spaces. It also fed into the Co-Design in Aotearoa Symposium that took place online. [19]
Analysis and Lessons Learned
One of the outcomes of the discussions was the connection participants felt towards each other to continue supporting one another to incorporate Māori ways into co-design processes, as there are still persistent challenges Māori must contend with such as institutional racism and “having to fight for space”. [20]
See Also
Te Arawhiti Engagement Framework for engaging with Māori
References
[1] The Auckland Co-Design Lab (2020) Māori Co-design Ethics Hui Summary. Available at: https://www.aucklandco-lab.nz/reports-summary/mori-co-design-ethics-hui-summary
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] The Auckland Co-Design Lab (2020) Co-design in Aotearoa New Zealand: a snapshot of the literature. Available at: https://www.aucklandco-lab.nz/reports-summary/co-design-in-aotearoa-new-zealand-a-snapshot-of-the-literature#:~:text=Co%2Ddesign%20refers%20to%20a,processes%2C%20%E2%80%93%20that%20impact%20them.
[7] Ibid., p. 8
[8] Ibid., p. 5
[9] The Auckland Co-Design Lab (2020) Māori Co-design Ethics Hui Summary. Available at: https://www.aucklandco-lab.nz/reports-summary/mori-co-design-ethics-hui-summary
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid, p. 20
[13] Ibid., p. 14
[14] Ibid.
[15] Ibid.
[16] Ibid.
[17] Ibid.
[18] Ibid.
[19] Hagan, P. (2023). Email correspondence.
[20] The Auckland Co-Design Lab (2020) Māori Co-design Ethics Hui Summary. Available at: https://www.aucklandco-lab.nz/reports-summary/mori-co-design-ethics-hui-summary , p. 40
