Digital Infrastructure, Identity & Sovereignty with Engie Matene

Interview
Written By Vic MacLennan

In our final Fireside Chat of 2024, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Engie Matene, a powerhouse in Māori tech, digital identity, and community-led digital infrastructure. Engie’s career spans software development, digital identity, and Indigenous tech sovereignty, with a deep commitment to ensuring data and technology serve the people who need it most.

We covered some big, thought-provoking topics:

  • How digital identity is being built with whakapapa (genealogy) at the core, using open-source, decentralised technologies.

  • Why energy infrastructure and connectivity are foundational to digital inclusion – and why Aotearoa needs to rethink its approach to power and internet access.

  • The critical role of Māori and Indigenous data sovereignty in shaping ethical and community-controlled digital tools.

Engie also shares her vision for a more resilient, community-led digital future, where technology isn’t just a product to consume – but a tool for empowerment. If you care about digital equity, data sovereignty, or the future of our digital infrastructure, this conversation is a must-watch.

Vic MacLennan

CEO of IT Professionals, Te Pou Haungarau Ngaio, Vic believes everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand deserves an opportunity to reach their potential so as a technologist by trade she is dedicated to changing the face of the digital tech industry - to become more inclusive, where everyone has a place to belong. Vic is also on a quest to close the digital divide. Find out more about her mahi on LinkedIN.

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