Digital disparities: Tech solutions for indigenous communities
Dianne Wepa · Open Access Government · 2025
Digital disparities: Tech solutions for indigenous communities Dr Dianne Wepa reflects on a study detailing the experiences of Māori kaumātua, who utilised digital technology to address health needs during COVID-19. It highlights challenges, resilience, and strategies for maintaining connections, emphasising the importance of digital technology in disaster management and the need to address digital disparities. Climate change-related weather events are increasingly impacting social connectedness. Digital technology plays a vital role in communication, education, business, health, and economic sustainability. This study explored the experience of Māori kaumātua (elders) using digital technology to meet their health needs within the tribal region of Ngāti Kahungunu, New Zealand, during the COVID-19 pandemic.