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March 16, 2026
#Education: New Māori AI scholarship aims to strengthen research capability and protect mātauranga Māori
Dale Husband
Posted On March 16, 2026
Download AudioA new Māori Artificial Intelligence Research Scholarship is being launched to help grow Māori capability in one of the fastest-developing areas of global research, while ensuring emerging technologies are developed in ways that respect tikanga, protect cultural knowledge and support Māori communities.
The $30,000 scholarship, supported by leading Māori academics including Te Kani Kingi of Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, is intended to support tauira pursuing research into artificial intelligence through a Māori lens. The initiative reflects growing recognition that Māori researchers need to play a central role in shaping how AI technologies are developed, applied and governed in Aotearoa.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in academic research, data analysis, and teaching environments, raising important questions about ethics, cultural safety and the protection of Indigenous knowledge systems. Māori scholars say there is an urgent need to ensure these technologies are used in ways that uphold whanaungatanga, maintain cultural integrity and avoid reinforcing harmful bias.
Researchers working in this space are encouraging academics and students to approach AI as a tool that must be used responsibly, rather than as a neutral technology. Responsible use includes ensuring that Māori perspectives guide the design and application of AI systems, that research practices remain accountable to communities, and that the relationships underpinning Māori knowledge remain respected.
One of the key concerns emerging as AI becomes more embedded in research is the issue of data sovereignty. Māori researchers have long argued that Māori data should remain under Māori governance, with communities retaining authority over how information about them is collected, stored and used. As AI systems increasingly rely on large datasets, questions about ownership, consent and control have become even more pressing.
There are also growing concerns about cultural misappropriation and the potential for AI systems to extract, reinterpret or reproduce mātauranga Māori without proper context or authority. Scholars warn that without appropriate safeguards, AI could contribute to the dilution or misuse of cultural knowledge that has been carefully maintained through whakapapa, tikanga and community stewardship.
The scholarship is designed to address several gaps in the current research landscape. One challenge is the limited number of Māori researchers working at the intersection of advanced technologies and Indigenous knowledge systems. Another is the need to develop frameworks that enable Māori to lead discussions around ethics, governance and the cultural implications of emerging technologies.
By supporting tauira to pursue research in this field, the programme aims to cultivate a new generation of Māori scholars capable of navigating both technological innovation and cultural responsibility. The goal is not only to increase Māori participation in AI development, but also to ensure that Māori values shape the direction of future research.
As artificial intelligence systems increasingly draw on large bodies of information-including cultural and linguistic knowledge—Māori academics say stronger protections will be needed to safeguard mātauranga Māori. This includes the development of Indigenous data governance frameworks, clearer ethical guidelines for researchers, and systems that recognise the collective ownership of cultural knowledge.
The scholarship initiative reflects a broader movement within Māori academia to ensure that emerging technologies serve the aspirations of Māori communities rather than undermine them. Supporters say the future of AI research in Aotearoa must include Māori leadership if it is to be both innovative and culturally responsible.
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