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The Culture and Design Lab Blog

UX DESIGN

Designing for Connection: Why Combating Loneliness at Work (and Beyond) Matters

22/4/2025

At The Culture and Design Lab, we believe great design starts with empathy - and sometimes, that means tackling deeply human challenges, like loneliness. We’re incredibly proud to support our Design...

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CULTURE

Client Video: Ngāti Haua Iwi Trust Deed of Settlement Ratification Campaign

19/2/2025

This video highlights the importance of voting in the ratification process for Te Pua o Te Riri Kore and the establishment of Te Whiringa Kākaho o Ngāti Hāua Trust. Through...
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TECH, CULTURE, AI

The New Zealand Public Service AI Framework: Implications for Māori and Pacific Peoples

03/2/2025

The New Zealand Public Service AI Framework: Implications for Māori and Pacific Peoples Public Service through its new Public Service AI Framework. This framework guides government agencies on how to develop,...
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CULTURE, BUSINESS

Tackling Māori Recruitment and Retention Challenges for 2025

26/11/2024

As we look ahead to 2025, one thing is clear: Māori talent is an essential, dynamic part of New Zealand’s workforce. Yet, many organisations are struggling to connect meaningfully with...

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TECH, AI

Exploring Pacific Data Sovereignty in the Age of AI

13/11/2024

As the digital age accelerates, the concept of Pacific data sovereignty is becoming increasingly critical. This was the focus of Moana Connect's Pacific Data Sovereignty Event held on November 13,...
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TECH, CULTURE

A Nine-Month Hikoi of Cross Cultural Innovation

30/10/2024

Over the past nine months, The Culture and Design Lab collaborated with a talented team of AUT (Auckland University of Technology) software and enginnering students to create an AI-driven cultural competency...
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TIKANGA, ENVIRONMENT

Fast Track Approvals Bill – What will the Impacts be on Iwi Settlement Acts?

29/8/2024

As someone with whakapapa links to Te Awa Tupua (the Whanganui River), the proposed Fast Track Approval Bill has me watching developments closely. The Bill promises to speed up approvals...

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TIKANGA, HEALTH

Pharmac Needs a Culturally Responsive Healthcare System

18/7/2024

As someone with whakapapa links to Te Awa Tupua (the Whanganui River), the proposed Fast Track Approval Bill has me watching developments closely. The Bill promises to speed up approvals...
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BUSINESS, TIKANGA

Developing a Cost Benefit Analysis for Māori or Pacific Engagements

26/6/2024

A robust cost-benefit analysis (CBA) framework can help you assess the financial impact of your current and future engagement strategies with Māori and/or Pacific communities. Here's how to develop one: 1....
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EDUCATION, TIKANGA

Understanding Tikanga Māori a Necessary Addition to Legal Education

22/5/2024

A robust cost-benefit analysis (CBA) framework can help you assess the financial impact of your current and future engagement strategies with Māori and/or Pacific communities. Here's how to develop one: 1....

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TIKANGA

Identity and Child Welfare Aren’t Mutually Exclusive

29/4/2024

Children’s Minister Karen Chhour draws from her personal experiences growing up in state care, when she says that focusing on a child's identity, specifically Māori children, could lead to a...
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DEI

The Mistaken Meritocracy (DEI's Not the Problem)

15/3/2024

A common, yet flawed argument against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives paints them as enemies of merit, claiming they unfairly prioritise skin colour over individual achievement. To me this...
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DEMOGRAPHICS

Demographic “Dividend” in Future Māori and Pacific Population Shifts.

27/2/2024

It’s partly cloudy here in Taumarunui, and a large group of Māori high school students have walked past my house on their way to school.  On the golf course down...

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BUSINESS

Building an Economy for All: Why Social Procurement Makes Good Sense

02/2/2024

As Aotearoa prepares for Waitangi Day this week, I think about how many in our country pride ourselves for being a fair and just society. Yet, historical and systemic barriers continue...
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CULTURE

Love and Compassion in a Time of Healing Injustice

21/1/2024

The impact of Te Hui aa Motu at Ngaruāwahia on Saturday continues to reverberate across Aotearoa, even for those of us who weren't able to be there in person. The livestream...
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CULTURE

A Thriving Pacific Aotearoa Needs a Strong Ministry for Pacific Peoples

16/1/2024

2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples. The call for a strong Pacific voice in government came from Pacific communities and advocates after the...

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ANTI-RACISM

WERO Conference Challenges Racial Oppression

12/11/2023

Hoani Waititi Marae recently became a gathering place for advocates, scholars, and activists at the WERO (Working to End Racial Oppression) conference. The event brought together a diverse group of...
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TECH

Engaging with Māori in Artificial Intelligence

05/10/2023

There's no doubt we're in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, but sometimes you have to look hard for an indigenous lens.  It's why I think the fusion of traditional wisdom with...
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DEI, INSPIRATION

Unbroken Optimism: Conversations with Kofi Douhadji

28/4/2023

Kofi Douhadji is an Entrepreneur, Author, and Executive Coach.With a very poignant and inspiring background, Kofi is a first-generation immigrant to the US from Togo and author of the book 'Unbroken...

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DEI

Diversity Works: Promoting Social Cohesion Through Workplace Inclusion

19/2/2023

The Culture and Design Lab team recently had the privilege of attending the Workplace Inclusion Aotearoa 2023 conference in Auckland. The highlight was networking with a few hundred DEI (diversity, equity...
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CULTURE

My Journey From Land Loss to Business Activism

18/11/2019

By Iulia Leilua: There’s a lump that wells up in my throat sometimes when I pass certain places in my hometown.  Growing up in Taumarunui with a Samoan father and Māori mother,...
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The Culture and Design Lab empowers workplace leaders to create social cohesion at work. We use indigenous knowledge, design, and strategy to foster inclusion and belonging in the workplace.

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