Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the world, but Māori technology leaders say the question is no longer whether AI will change society—it’s whether Māori will help shape that future.
That is the kaupapa behind a new partnership between Toitū AI and Te Puna Ora o Mataatua, which aims to develop tikanga-grounded artificial intelligence and digital systems that strengthen mana motuhake, protect Māori data, and improve the wellbeing of future generations.
Toitū AI founder Dan Te Whenua Walker says the collaboration represents a significant step toward ensuring AI reflects Māori values rather than simply adopting overseas technologies that may not understand the cultural, ethical and collective responsibilities embedded in te ao Māori.
Welcomed to Te Puna Ora o Mataatua in July, Walker says the partnership is about building AI that works with communities rather than making decisions for them.
“Our goal is to ensure AI strengthens whānau, supports iwi aspirations and protects the integrity of Māori knowledge and data,” he says.
The partnership comes at a time when governments, researchers and iwi are increasingly grappling with both the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence.
Recent government advice has warned that AI systems could pose significant risks to Māori culture, stories and data if appropriate safeguards are not in place. Concerns include the unauthorised use of mātauranga Māori, algorithmic bias and the ownership of Indigenous knowledge within rapidly evolving AI platforms.
For Walker, those concerns reinforce the need for Māori to become creators of AI—not simply consumers.
He says tikanga provides a framework for developing technology that prioritises relationships, accountability and collective wellbeing alongside innovation.
The work with Te Puna Ora o Mataatua is expected to explore practical applications across areas including housing, health, whānau services and community development, where AI could help organisations analyse information more effectively while keeping Māori values at the centre of decision-making.
The kaupapa aligns with a growing movement across Aotearoa to strengthen Māori data sovereignty, ensuring iwi and Māori organisations retain authority over how Māori information is collected, stored and used.
Last year, iwi leaders unveiled a set of AI safeguards designed to protect Māori data and establish principles for the ethical use of emerging technologies. The framework emphasises Māori governance, transparency and the protection of cultural knowledge in the age of artificial intelligence.
Health is another area where Māori-centred AI is gaining momentum.
Researchers and health providers are exploring how artificial intelligence can improve service delivery, identify inequities and support better outcomes for whānau, provided those systems are designed with Māori communities rather than imposed upon them.
Walker believes the conversation about AI should not be driven by fear but by leadership.
He says if Māori lead the development of digital technologies grounded in tikanga and whakapapa, AI can become a powerful tool for strengthening communities rather than undermining them.
For Te Puna Ora o Mataatua, the partnership reflects a broader commitment to innovation that supports whānau aspirations while protecting cultural identity.
As artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly influential part of everyday life, Walker says Māori have an opportunity not just to adapt to technological change—but to help define what that future looks like.
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