Duties & Obligations as a Project Administrator
The role of a project adminAdministrator can differ depending on the size and nature of the project,project. however whatWhat is common in all casescases, however, is thethat AdminAdministrators isare legally and ethically responsible for the security and privacy of data belonging to project members.
Given the nature of pestspest control and taonga species,species monitoring, trapping andprojects monitoringoften inherentlyinvolve has cross cross-boundary relationships and dependencies.shared outcomes. When projects span multiple properties, success reliesdepends on collaboration. At the centre of thatthis isare communication, trust, and respect. ItThis becomescreates a delicate balance ofbetween responsibility, privacy, and information sharing.
At the project level, Trap.nz allows projects to either remain anonymous,anonymous or to listbe publicly.publicly Secondarylisted. In addition, projects may choose to that, it allows projects to anonymously share high high-level data.data anonymously. Within a project, Administrators take on the duty of data protection,protection. whichIn inpractical broaderterms, termsthis also means protecting the relationships between individual trappers.
Every trapper has atheir uniqueown perspective on sharingdata data,sharing, and that perspective can change asover the circumstances change.time. For example, a new neighbour may arrive with a counterdifferent perspective,viewpoint, trapping mistakes may happen,occur, public opinion mightmay swing,shift, or social licenselicence may vanish.be lost. What mayseems seem low low-risk now,today may leadresult toin asignificant majorconsequences event, toin the individuals,future and — tofor individuals and for the project as a whole. To account for thisthis, and to keepensure trappers remain safe and willing to share data, thea default position of privacy and anonymity is highlystrongly recommended.
As a defaultgeneral rule, Administrators should never disclose to anyone trapperstrapper names, their attributed catchescatch records, or the exact locations of theirtrapping equipment.
Below are seven principals to assist with administering a safe and effective community project - legally, ethically, and culturally.
Data Protection Principles for our Community-Led Work
Protecting information to uphold trust, relationships, and community wellbeing.
Our project relies on trust and community. These principles help us handle information with care so people feel safe, respected, and confident in the collective work we do.
1. Treat all data as taonga.
Handle information with care, respect, and intention. Assume it carries meaning for individuals, whānau, and communities, and protect it accordingly.
2. Prioritise transparency and choice.
Be clear about why data is collected, how it will be used, who will access it, and what control people have over their own information.
3. Minimise access and uphold privacy.
Only gather what is genuinely needed, and ensure access is granted with full respect to those providing it. Share with clear purpose and accountability.
4. Protect collective and cultural context.
Recognise that some information is tied to whakapapa - the connections, stories, and shared identity that link people to each other and to place. Honour the relationships it reflects, uphold mana, and prevent harm by considering the wider impacts on whānau and communities.
5. Share and interpret data responsibly.
Only use information in ways that support community wellbeing, avoid misrepresentation, and strengthen trust. Consider how insights might affect relationships, and check that meaning and context are understood before sharing or using them.
6. Honour relationships and reciprocity.
When people and communities share information, ensure that insights, benefits, and learnings are returned to them - with care - in ways that are meaningful and mana-enhancing.
7. Hold ourselves accountable.
See also:
Basic Administrator Agreement
NZ Privacy Act Adherence Template for Adminstrators and Managers