Ng¯ati Toa may trial own digital currency

Nga¯ ti Toa iwi is considering trialling its own digital currency in Porirua, hot on the heels of helping fund a similiar programme in the suburb of Cannons Creek.

In June, a group of 50 locals were given 50 Cannon Coin (CAN) to spend on fruit and vegetables at the Hauora Kai Co-Op, to use to trade among themselves or put towards community initiatives they want to see realised, all using a digital wallet on their smartphone.

Helmut Modlik, chief executive of Nga¯ ti Toa, said he was keen to continue and even expand the initiative.

‘‘The idea of having our own currency means we can have our own economic endeavours,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m really excited about that.’’

Modlik said he hoped the iwi could work further with not-for-profit organisation The Wellbeing Protocol which launched the pilot Cannons Creek programme in partnership with Wesley Community Action. The iwi would have a larger group and more vendors which would mean a Nga¯ti Toa

trial would have a wide reach, Modlik said.

The excitement over digital currency does not end with Modlik – as plans to launch a second trial at Cannons Creek were under way.

Community liaison Lisa Tagaloa said for Cannons Creek participants, the app was easy to use and incorporate into their every day lives. But it did not just represent currency, it became a platform for people to build community relationships and be entrepreneurial.

‘‘It became less about the money and more about coming together,’’ Tagaloa said.

‘‘To me, Cannon Coin is about community power. Community power can’t help but lead to community wellbeing.’’

Tagaloa said she was looking forward to a second trial – which aimed to have 3000 participants and more places for people to spend and gain CAN.

Mark Pascall, the founder of The Wellbeing Protocol which came up with CAN, said there had been enthusiasm both within and outside the community about the project.

It had been working with Nga¯ti Toa, other community groups and schools in the hopes of expanding its network, he said.

But before a second trial could take place, Pascall said it was focused on getting more funding. So far it had $20,000 of the $200,000 it needed in order to start.

‘‘We want the tokens to represent sharing and investment into the community,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s about designing a system that promotes wellbeing and happiness as well as new connections. This is a tool to facilitate that.’’