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Mātou Collective DAO Conceptual Simulation Report

Executive Summary​

This report documents a conceptual simulation of a DAO governance system designed by Mātou Collective as part of our TribalDAOs project. The simulation aimed to test, reflect on, and refine our draft governance framework before any formal deployment.

By simulating proposal creation, discussion, voting, and resolution using real participants and scenario-based prompts, we were able to surface key strengths and limitations in our governance model. This report shares what we did, how we did it, and what we learned — with a focus on practical outcomes that can inform our ongoing development of DAO infrastructure rooted in Indigenous values and collective decision-making.

Introduction​

Mātou Collective is developing governance frameworks and tooling to support whānau, hapū, and Indigenous-led collectives to organise, decide, and act — on their terms and in ways that reflect their tikanga, aspirations, and digital realities.

As part of that kaupapa, we ran a conceptual simulation of a DAO based on the TribalDAOs blueprint. The goal was not to build technology immediately, but to walk through the experience — using mock proposals, structured decision points, and reflection exercises — so we could better understand what’s working, what’s unclear, and what needs redesigning.

About Roles in Mātou DAO​

Mātou DAO is organised into several interdependent houses and roles. These roles reflect different responsibilities and types of authority — cultural, community-based, operational, and technical. Understanding these roles was essential to the simulation, since each stage of the proposal lifecycle involved different actors.

We worked with the following groups during the simulation:

  • Elder Council – provided cultural oversight and held veto authority
  • Community Representatives – reviewed strategic fit and cultural alignment with communities
  • Contributors – assessed feasibility, delivery, and resource allocation
  • Governance Stewards – facilitated proposal movement through the system

Each of these roles, and others within the DAO, are outlined in detail in our Roles and Responsibilities Guide.

Methodology​

We structured the simulation as a facilitated walkthrough of key governance processes, designed to create a shared experience and gather honest feedback.

Participants​

  • Mātou Collective members acting in formal roles (e.g. Elder Council, Community House, Contributor House)

Simulation Format​

  • Location: Conducted both online and offline using shared documents, chat threads, and hui

  • Tools: Notion, Google Docs, manual voting forms

  • Approach: Guided simulation broken into three parts:

    1. Proposal Workflow Simulation
    2. Voting and Decision-Making Simulation
    3. Distribution and Implementation Simulation

Each section included moments for discussion, feedback, and suggested changes. We documented each step in detail to support future governance design iterations.

Overview of the Simulation​

Simulation Focus Areas​

The simulation was structured around three core governance flows:

1. Proposal Workflow​

Participants walked through the end-to-end journey of a DAO proposal — from early idea to formal submission. This helped us test how proposals emerge, who gets to shape them, what support or approval is needed, and how they’re moved forward through the various governance houses.

2. Voting and Decision-Making​

We simulated multiple voting scenarios across different houses to test:

  • Voter eligibility by role or token
  • Different vote weightings (e.g. equal, role-based, quadratic)
  • Timing and quorum rules
  • Transparency and clarity of outcomes

Each vote included an opportunity for feedback and for reps to attach conditional responses or recommended changes.

3. Distribution and Implementation​

We explored how an approved proposal transitions into implementation. This included steward appointments, contributor assignments, contribution requests, and distribution of $UTIL and $CTR rewards. The process emphasized clarity, coordination, and cultural accountability.