From Data to Dreams: Pacific Data Sovereignty Takes Centre Stage at ANZEA Kai & Kōrero

Presented by Elika Consulting Group | 29 October 2025

Pacific data sovereignty is emerging as a key lever for equity, innovation, and system transformation across Aotearoa and the wider Pacific region. This was the central message delivered by Elika Consulting Group (ECG) at ANZEA’s Kai & Kōrero event on 29 October 2025, where the consultancy presented their session From Data to Dreams: Data Sovereignty and Equity as Economic Levers.

The session explored how Pacific communities are reclaiming data as a tool for self-determination, shifting control from external systems to Indigenous stewardship. Framed through a MERL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning) lens, ECG highlighted how Pacific-led data governance can reshape what is measured, how success is defined, and how evidence is used to inform meaningful change.

“Data is identity, and equity begins with who holds the pen,” ECG stated, emphasising that evaluation frameworks must evolve to reflect Pacific worldviews and cultural logic. The team shared approaches that move evaluation beyond compliance, shifting it from monitoring to meaning-making, evaluation to equity, and learning to legacy.

ECG underscored that the Pacific economy is not merely numerical but rooted in people, purpose, culture, and community. Across health, disability, education, and business, Pacific-led innovation is already reshaping how outcomes are understood. Culturally grounded evidence, particularly community stories, are proving essential in identifying real needs and advocating for culturally aligned funding and system improvements.

A key focus of the session was the need to safeguard Pacific data and stories. “Community-owned data is cultural capital and economic power,” ECG noted, explaining that Pacific data sovereignty strengthens advocacy, supports co-design, and ensures that communities,not systems, define what matters.

Looking ahead, ECG called for investment in a Moana-centred future. This includes backing co-design and Pacific governance, supporting community networks, funding village-based systems, and recognising wellbeing and belonging as core economic indicators. Data sovereignty, the team emphasised, should be treated as Pacific currency.

The session concluded with a call to action for evaluators, policymakers, and system leaders: Partner with the village. Support Pacific-led evaluation. Shift systems from extraction to design, and from data to dreams.

For more information, visit www.ecg.nz or contact letstalk@ecg.nz.

WATCH THE FULL PRESENTATION HERE - From Data to Dreams: Pacific Data Sovereignty Takes Centre Stage at ANZEA Kai & Kōrero