A stellar University of Canterbury MBA student has won the Datacom Hi-Tech Inspiring Individual at the NZ Hi-Tech Awards.
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) MBA student and accomplished Māori business leader, Elle Archer (Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tūhoe) was acknowledged for her work across business, governance, and technology, including as Chair of Te Matarau | Māori Tech Association and the Waitaha Digital Equity Committee.
Archer is a pioneer of bringing the digital world and te ao Māori together for the benefit of both. As she says on her website: “In an era where technology shapes much of our world, there’s an essential story often left untold – the integration of Indigenous perspectives into the digital realm.
“As the Chair of Te Ao Matihiko, the Māori DigiTech group in Aotearoa New Zealand, my role is to aid in bridging the gap between ancestral wisdom and modern digital advancements. This section explores the significance of nurturing our indigenous hapori (community) within Te Ao Matihiko (the digital world), and its far-reaching benefits not only for whānau, hapū, and iwi, but for communities, sectors, and the global stage.”
About Elle Archer
Elle Archer is a visionary leader whose work seamlessly integrates Māori cultural values with groundbreaking technological innovations. With over 28 years in various fields including Technology, Infrastructure, Education, Economic Development, and Emergency Management, Elle has dedicated her career to advancing digital equity, digital excellence, and fostering Smart Societies across Aotearoa New Zealand, and on a global scale. As a transformative leader, strategist, and advocate for inclusive technology, Elle’s contributions epitomise innovation and unity in the tech landscape. Her commitment to unity (her ‘why’), empowering communities, driving sustainable development makes her a standout figure in New Zealand’s tech community.
About the New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards
The New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards celebrate the success of our producers of goods and services from the software, electronics, telecommunications, mobile, agritech, creative, and other high-tech industries. The awards are run by the NZ Hi-Tech Trust, a not-for-profit organisation aimed at promoting and supporting the wider industry.
