Toitū AI and Te Puna Ora o Mataatua Unite for Tikanga-Led Artificial Intelligence

A new partnership between Toitū AI and Te Puna Ora o Mataatua aims to place tikanga at the center of artificial intelligence development in Aotearoa. As reported by 1News and Radio Waatea, the collaboration seeks to create digital systems that strengthen mana motuhake and whānau wellbeing through culturally grounded technology. Toitū AI founder and chief executive Dan Te Whenua Walker, a former Microsoft leader who guided the 'Indigenous at Microsoft' network, says the initiative ensures Māori are creators of technology rather than just consumers. He argues that AI should reflect indigenous values instead of simply adopting overseas platforms that lack understanding of the ethical responsibilities inherent in te ao Māori. Speaking at a BNZ Business Breakfast on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, Mr. Walker warned that Aotearoa must accelerate efforts regarding data sovereignty following the government's release of a dedicated AI strategy in July 2025. The partnership, which follows Mr. Walker's welcome to Te Puna Ora o Mataatua in July, focuses on building AI that works alongside communities rather than making decisions for them, using tikanga as a framework for accountability. The work is expected to investigate practical applications for AI in housing, health, and community development. By integrating Māori values into decision-making, the partnership aims to help organisations analyse data effectively while maintaining cultural integrity and protecting mātauranga Māori from algorithmic bias. According to Mr. Walker, the path forward for Aotearoa lies in creating specialised, community-based models that address issues of local importance. While New Zealand cannot match the scale of international 'hyperscalers,' he maintains the nation possesses world-leading frameworks for data sovereignty that should be central to its digital strategy. This aligns with the principles of the Māori Data Sovereignty Network, Te Mana Raraunga, which asserts that Māori governance is essential for all decisions regarding the collection, storage, and use of indigenous data. Mr. Walker's focus remains on ensuring Māori are involved early in the design phases of technology. He believes that when digital tools are grounded in whakapapa and tikanga, they become powerful assets for community strength. To ensure a balanced approach to governance, he is advocating for the inclusion of kaumātua, rangatahi, and wider community voices in decision-making processes.