Record STMT-WD97134Advisory

Māori Data and AI – guidance for business

Māori Data and AI Guidance for Business

Guidelines Institutional policyOceania · NZin force

This high-level guidance introduces basic concepts for businesses handling Māori data and artificial intelligence in New Zealand. It explains what Māori data and Māori data sovereignty are, outlines practical steps to protect and respect Māori data, and details core values like mana whakahaere and kaitiakitanga. The document emphasizes avoiding harm, ensuring collective benefit, and involving Māori in decision-making and AI development.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

Centre for Data Ethics and InnovationGovernment · NZ

Lead issuer

Legal forceAdvisory

Under whose authorityInstitutional policy

Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

CompaniesGeneral publicAI developers and providersAI deployers and users

This is for business leaders, developers, and deployers using artificial intelligence who need to understand how to ethically handle Māori data.

Sectors

Cross-sector

What the document contains

What's covered

The document covers high-level principles, practical business actions, and definitions concerning Māori data and artificial intelligence. It addresses data collection, risk identification, stakeholder engagement, transparency, and data sovereignty principles.

What's missing

The document does not provide binding legal enforcement mechanisms, detailed technical auditing procedures, or formal regulatory compliance penalties.

Key takeaways

Māori data includes any digital information about or from Māori people, language, culture, resources, or environments, and is considered a taonga.
Businesses must look beyond basic data ownership to avoid harms like bias, discrimination, and stigmatisation when using Māori data for AI.
Engaging diverse teams, establishing Māori partnerships early, and ensuring human oversight are essential operational practices.
Guiding values such as mana whakahaere, kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga, whakapapa, and he waka eke noa provide ethical foundations for working with Māori data.
Businesses should establish clear boundaries for data use, respect data sensitivity, and ensure that AI applications provide collective benefit to communities.

Principles it states

Mana whakahaere – AuthorityKaitiakitanga – GuardianshipManaakitanga – RespectWhakapapa – RelationshipsHe waka eke noa – Collective benefit

Outline

· About this guidance
· Māori Data and AI
· What is Māori Data
· Data as a Taonga
· What to do practically (Do no harm and ensure Māori benefit from the use of their data)
· Identify and understand what Māori data you collect or use
· Be transparent and explain how AI uses Māori data
· What is Māori Data Sovereignty
· What to do practically (Invite representation of Māori views in decision-making, Set clear boundaries on Māori data use, Grow your business capability)
· Guiding values
· Start the journey

IssuedNot recorded

Length1,581 words

FormatNot recorded

Scopenational

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Accountability

2/5

Clear responsibility for AI outcomes

Māori Data Governance incorporates principles, structures, accountability mechanisms, legal instruments, and policies through which Māori exercise control over their data.

What is Māori Data Sovereignty

screening score · 2026-10-24

Fairness

4/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

There is a higher likelihood that bias, discrimination, inaccuracy, and other harms could materialise for Māori in your AI use.

What to do practically

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Dignity

0/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

N/A

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Oversight

4/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

Always have a person in the process to assess for unintended consequences.

What to do practically

screening score · 2026-10-24

Privacy

4/5

Protection of personal data and private life

Regardless of how you are using the data, there is an obligation to keep the data safe, protect its privacy and confidentiality, and ensure appropriate use.

Kaitiakitanga – Guardianship

screening score · 2026-10-24

Transparency

4/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

Be able to explain how Māori data is used, for what purpose, and how it was used by the AI. Document all decision-making and data usage in ways that are transparent and accessible.

What to do practically

screening score · 2026-10-24

Enforcement

0/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

N/A

screening score · 2026-10-24

Impact Assessment

4/5

Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use

Identify potential risks or harms that could occur, such as discrimination or stigmatisation, such as from biased or unrepresentative data. Have a plan to mitigate these risks.

What to do practically

screening score · 2026-10-24

Topics

indigenous_data data_sovereignty business_ethics ai_governance cultural_safety