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

This is guide 4 in a 6-part series from Ako Aotearoa, designed to help educators explore AI in education — safely, ethically, and in ways that reflect our values in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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.

Embedding AI use that reflects Te Tiriti, upholds equity, and honours diverse voices.

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.

Principles for culturally inclusive AI use

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

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 Task:

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

Printable Resource References

1. Taiuru, K. (2023). Māori Data Sovereignty. https://www.taiuru.maori.nz/maori-data-sovereignty/
2. Culture and Design Lab. (2024). Pasifika Data Sovereignty. https://cultureanddesignlab.com/blog/article-435953
3. Taiuru, K. (2023). Te Tiriti Based Artificial Intelligence Ethical Principles. https://www.taiuru.co.nz/ai-principles/
4. Brown, P. T., et al. (2024). Māori Algorithmic Sovereignty. https://datascience.codata.org/articles/10.5334/dsj-2024-015
5. University of Auckland. (2024). Te Reo and Artificial Intelligence. https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2024/03/18/te-reo-artificial-intelligence.html
6. Ako Aotearoa. (n.d.). Māori cultural capabilities pathway. https://ako.ac.nz/te-pataka-matauranga-maori/maori-cultural-capabilities-pathway
7. Smith, G. (2023). Te Ao Māori AI in Education. https://thisisgraeme.me/2023/10/31/te-ao-maori-ai-in-education/
8. Lewis, J., Arista, N., Arimoto, A., et al. (2020). Indigenous Protocol and AI. https://spectrum.library.concordia.ca/id/eprint/986506/7/Indigenous_Protocol_and_AI_2020.pdf
9. Julien, G. (2024). How Artificial Intelligence (AI) impacts inclusive education. Educational Research and Reviews, 19(6), 95–103. https://academicjournals.org/journal/ERR/article-full-text-pdf/A59EF5172309
10. Culture and Design Lab. (2023). NZ Public Service AI Framework.https://cultureanddesignlab.com/blog/article-593959
11. Moana Connect. (2024). Moana Talks – Pacific AI. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF14JF8n3OA

Where to next?

Key ideas – Ethics, data privacy and algorithmic bias | Go back to Practical tips