30 Oct 2025
The working arm of the Data Iwi Leaders Group has unveiled a new framework designed to protect Māori data use in the AI age and is urging government agencies to adopt it into their existing policies to avoid systems perpetuating bias and discrimination.
Government’s rapid adoption of AI technologies to manage and analyse data will create both unprecedented opportunities and significant risks for Māori communities, Te Kāhui Raraunga says.
The working arm of the Data Iwi Leaders Group has unveiled a new framework designed to protect Māori data use in the AI age and is urging government agencies to adopt it into their existing policies to avoid systems perpetuating bias and discrimination.
“As government agencies and organisations across Aotearoa increasingly adopt AI technologies, the need for robust, culturally grounded governance has never been more important,” says Te Kāhui Raraunga Lead Technician, Kirikowhai Mikaere. She adds, “AI's transformative potential is greatest when technology aligns with ethics – transparency, fairness, and shared decision-making. That is what this framework calls for.”
The new Māori AI Governance framework builds on the foundational Māori Data Governance Model, recognising that Māori data is a taonga that must be cared for and governed in ways that reflect Māori priorities, tikanga, and aspirations.
“While AI has the potential to deliver better services and insights, it also carries the risk of reinforcing systemic bias, discrimination, and harm if the Māori data that feeds the AI has been misrepresented,” Mikaere says
“Without strong safeguards, AI systems will amplify existing inequities, undermine Māori rights, and seep into critical decision-making that will affect all Māori.”
The framework directly addresses these challenges, setting out the clear expectations of Te Kāhui Raraunga for government agencies and other organisations to involve Māori in every decision about how Māori data is collected, stored, used, and shared.
It introduces safeguards to prevent harm, including regular monitoring for bias, clear accountability, transparent algorithm use and the ability to exit or change systems if prejudice and stereotyping emerge.
To enable this, the framework calls for an overhaul of the existing Algorithm Charter used in the public sector and the development of a whole-of-government AI policy and related data standards to drive unified, trustworthy, and responsible AI use.
It further recommends the establishment of an independent monitoring body and an open public register of algorithms in use by public agencies.
“Embedding these safeguards, particularly across the public sector, will help ensure data-driven technologies support equitable outcomes, protect Māori data sovereignty, and uphold te Tiriti o Waitangi through ethical AI” Mikaere says.
“We strongly encourage all government agencies, ministers, and organisations that harness data and want to deploy AI adopt the framework and ensure its principles are embedded in their processes and policies.”
Te Kāhui Raraunga Chair, Rāhui Papa, says harnessing new AI tools can be beneficial for Iwi Māori, however, it must be done ethically in a way that upholds iwi mana and tikanga.
“Ultimately, AI is built on data. When that includes our data, mātauranga and tikanga Māori, it must be governed with care, respect and cultural sensitivity. Ethical AI starts with honoring te Tiriti, embedding Māori leadership, and holding agencies accountable for safe, respectful data use”
“By embedding Māori leadership in AI governance and investing in Māori AI expertise Aotearoa can set a new global standard for ethical AI, driven by Indigenous data sovereignty.”