Cultural Readiness Check

Tick each statement that's already true for the project. Takes 2 minutes.

Review next steps before hiring a supplier

Complete the must-have steps below before you hire a supplier. Cultural authority and consent come first, because everything else depends on them.

0 of 8 in place

Must-haves

Complete these before anything else.

1. We know who holds cultural authority over the knowledge, stories or imagery we'll use.

2. The people who hold that authority have agreed to be involved from the start, not just to sign off at the end.

3. We have consent from the people who hold authority over any taonga, pūrākau or whakapapa, for this specific use.Doesn't apply to us

Good practice

4. Everyone involved agrees on what the project is for and who it serves.

5. The people the project is for will help shape it.

6. The contract says who owns the finished work, and that cultural material is licensed rather than handed over.

7. There's time and budget for cultural review throughout the project.

8. A named person will approve the work, and there'll be a written record of the cultural review.

Your next steps

Find out who holds cultural authority over the knowledge, stories or imagery you'll use, and name those people or groups before you write the brief.
Invite the people who hold cultural authority to be involved from the start, and agree how and when that happens.
Get consent for each taonga, pūrākau or whakapapa you plan to use, for each specific use, and keep a written record of it.
Write down the project's purpose and who it serves, and get every stakeholder to agree to it.
Plan at least one kōrero with the people the project is for before design starts.
Add two terms to your contract: one that says who owns the finished work, and one that says cultural material is licensed for agreed uses, not handed over for good.
Build cultural review checkpoints into the project timeline and budget now, not just at the end.
Name the person who will approve the finished work, and ask your supplier to keep a written record of each cultural review: who reviewed it, when, and what was decided.

Not sure how to work through these? Māui Studios can help.

The information in this checklist is general guidance only and is not legal advice. Completing this checklist does not certify a project or confirm that it has cultural approval.