AI, culture, and inclusion — A guide for educators

Posted on 19 May 2026 by akoaotearoa

Supporting educators in using AI in ways that are culturally sustaining, inclusive, and grounded in Aotearoa values.

AI should reflect the people it serves

In Aotearoa, education must reflect and uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the cultural identities of all learners. As AI tools become more common, we need to ensure they don’t just work — they work in the right way.

That means tools and teaching practices that value tikanga Māori, Pacific knowledge systems, and diverse learner voices.

Cultural safety in the age of AI

Many AI tools are built on global datasets — which can carry biases, gaps, or assumptions. If we use these tools without care, we risk reinforcing inequities. But when guided by kaupapa Māori and inclusive values, AI can be a powerful ally for revitalisation, reflection, and relational learning.

Educators are already exploring how AI can:

  • Support language revitalisation in Te Reo Māori and Pacific languages
  • Encourage talanoa and wānanga-based inquiry using AI-generated prompts
  • Embed cultural values into classroom AI activities

It’s not just about what AI can do — it’s about how and why we use it in ways that honour our commitments to mana ōrite, kaitiakitanga, and ako.

Tools are not neutral — but they can be taught to care

Start by asking:

  • Does this tool reflect my learners’ worlds?
  • How do I involve whānau or community in conversations about AI?
  • What tikanga or protocols should guide this use?

AI doesn’t need to erase culture — it can uplift it, when used with intention.

Why cultural grounding matters in AI

Te Tiriti o Waitangi and AI

Te Tiriti shapes our responsibilities in education — to uphold Māori rights, value Māori knowledge, and ensure equitable outcomes. AI, like any educational tool, must be used in ways that align with these obligations.

Risks Without Cultural Grounding

  • Māori and Pacific perspectives may be absent or misrepresented in AI outputs
  • AI tools are often trained on biased, non-local data
  • Cultural identity, language, and nuance can be flattened or erased

A Call to Educators

Embedding AI in culturally sustaining ways is not just about tools — it’s about relationships, representation, and responsibility.

Key Principle: AI use in Aotearoa should never undermine mana. It should lift it.

Principles for culturally inclusive AI use

Drawn from research and kōrero with Māori and Pacific leaders, here are five guiding principles:

PrincipleWhat it means in practice
WhanaungatangaBuild relationships before deploying new tools
WhakamanatangaAI should affirm identity, not erase it
ManaakitangaEnsure care in how AI treats language, story, and voice
MāramatangaCritically examine AI origins, outputs, and biases
RangatiratangaLearners should have agency in how and when AI is used
Reflective Prompt: “How might your learners see themselves — or not — in the outputs of the AI tools you use?”

Practical moves you can make

What you can do — Even as a non-expert

  • Check for cultural content: Ask AI tools about Aotearoa histories, tikanga, or te reo and evaluate critically.
  • Use AI with learners as a starting point — not an authority.
  • Let learners critique AI outputs for cultural accuracy.
  • Create prompts that explicitly invite te ao Māori or Pacific perspectives.
  • Scaffold responsible use: AI is a tool, not a truth machine.
Example Prompt: “Write a short mihi for the opening of a workshop. Use inclusive, respectful language — and explain what each part means.”

Example Task:

Ask learners to compare a mainstream AI-generated definition of ‘whanaungatanga’ with lived definitions gathered from their whānau or community.

Educator Tip: You don’t need to be an expert in AI or culture — just be open, guided, and prepared to learn alongside your learners.

Resources to explore and use

Note: While some resources or tools in this section may evolve rapidly, the frameworks and guidance remain useful for supporting critical discussion and values-based decision-making.

Useful Reading

This guide was part of a series, created in 2025 by Ako Aotearoa, designed to help educators explore AI in education — safely, ethically, and in ways that reflect our values in Aotearoa.

Each guide offers practical steps, real examples, and reflective tools to support your journey. Whether you’re just starting or deepening your practice, these resources are here to support your next steps — practically and purposefully.

Links were correct at the time of publish but will not be checked or updated in the future.

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