In January 2025, I was invited to join the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (UN-CSTD) Working Group on Data Governance. This year, I’ve been participating in an observer role, and I have full access to global documentation, participation, and speaking opportunities, an amazing opportunity to bring Aotearoa’s voice to the table, shaping the future of data governance.
This is more than a personal milestone for me; it’s a significant opportunity to advocate for community-led systems and governance frameworks that reflect the lived realities of our people. The work of the UN-CSTD is not just technical; it’s deeply political, cultural, and ethical. The group is developing global principles for data governance – equitable sharing of data benefits, safe and trusted cross-border data flows, sovereignty, privacy, and security protections, and interoperability across national and regional systems.
But what does this mean for Aotearoa, and for the not-for-profit community sector here at home?
No one has this right yet – so let’s lead
Globally, no country or sector has yet “got this right”. The frameworks for data governance are still being written. This puts us in a unique position: we can take what is learnt and developed on a global scale and create our own framework, one that protects data privacy and the information systems we hold and use in the NFP/NGO space.
Community organisations in Aotearoa hold a huge amount of information – personal details from volunteers, confidential health and social wellbeing data, and records of the services we deliver. We are trusted stewards of this data, but we also face growing pressure, government agencies are seeking more access to these datasets, often to inform policy or improve service delivery.
But this raises critical questions: Who owns this data? Who uses it? And most importantly, how do we ensure we are protecting those we serve?
The answer lies in governance. If governance is about staying ahead of future risk, then now is the time to act. We need frameworks and policies that are transparent, community-led, and grounded in the principles of human dignity and collective wellbeing.
Community is where it’s at; we can help build trust in systems by embedding accountability, cultural values, and ethical oversight into policy and framework design. Rather than fearing a future where technology controls us (recently re-read George Orwell’s 1984), we can shape outcomes where technology serves people, and where governance is grounded in care, clarity, and collective wisdom.
Aotearoa’s path forward
As we move toward increasingly data-driven societies, the role of community governance will only grow. In 2026 a set of principles will be developed by thought leaders of countries, businesses, technology companies and NFP/NGOs this is a global set of principles that we can adapt and use as we require.
I’ll keep you posted on developments!
Rose Hiha-Agnew
CEO, Community Governance Aotearoa
