Metadata includes information called elements such as Title, Author, Description, Type of research/resource, File type and more. It is an important tool for enhancing a search for a resource you might be looking for.

The Clearing House adopts its metadata elements from the commonly used Dublin Core Metadata Standards. These standards are used worldwide. Recently, a set of Maori Metadata Standards were formally registered as part of the Dublin Core metadata family.

While we still have some way to go to fully develop and implement Maori metadata (the government's 2008 Digital Strategy is proposing to assist to develop this work and we're getting involved), The Clearing House uses metadata standards for all resources that are sent to us, whether in Te Reo Rangatira or English. Researchers who send us their resources, can choose which language(s) they use to complete their metadata and can give us their metadata in both languages if they choose.

This enables us to capture information about resources in both English and Maori and means that you can search for resources in both or either language.