Escape Room Spies: Can You Save The Sovereign Data?

This paper presents an educational escape room exercise developed by Te Maea: Māori and Indigenous Economy and Enterprise Network at the University of Otago. Designed for rangatahi Māori, the exercise engages students in learning about indigenous data sovereignty through interactive puzzles and real-life examples. Rooted in Kaupapa Māori pedagogies, it promotes critical thinking and collaboration while addressing contemporary issues in the "Data Revolution". With successful applications across diverse groups—including postgraduate students and community organizations—the exercise serves as a model for innovative, culturally grounded education that promotes indigenous perspectives in contemporary business contexts. The activity aims to enhance understanding of taonga Māori, data sovereignty, and related challenges, serving as a model for culturally grounded education in various community contexts.