This year, ACE Aotearoa took a new approach to our annual ACE Conference and Hui Fono, hosting the events back-to-back from June 10–12 in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Our guiding whakataukī — he waka eke noa (we are all in this together) — perfectly captured the spirit of this decision. The shared theme, AI | AI – Bridging Artificial Intelligence and Ancestral Intelligence, wove both events together in a powerful and thoughtprovoking way.

Our aim was to honour the deep roots of Indigenous knowledge while exploring the cutting edge of artificial intelligence — creating space for both the past and the future. As AI continues to shape our lives and learning environments, it’s crucial that we ask: How do we protect and uplift ancestral wisdom in this new technological age?

Ancestral Intelligence — the wisdom handed down through generations — and Artificial Intelligence — the creation of machine-based systems — offer radically different ways of understanding and navigating the world. Where AI focuses on data processing and algorithms, Ancestral Intelligence prioritises lived experience, cultural context, and our deep connection to the natural world.

At this year’s conference, we asked the big questions:

• How do we safeguard ancestral knowledge from misuse or unconsented extraction?
• How do we confront bias, racism, and the erasure of Indigenous voices in AI systems not built with us in mind?
• And importantly, how can we harness AI as a tool for good — to share our stories, expand access to learning, and preserve culture for generations to come?

A key theme that emerged during the conference was the importance of integrating Ancestral Intelligence— including Indigenous language, cultural data, values, and historical knowledge—into our use of modern technologies like AI. The discussion centred on how to do this in a way that honours and protects the authenticity of Indigenous knowledge systems, rather than diluting or commercialising them. Participants raised critical questions about ownership, consent, and intellectual property: How can we ensure that ancestral knowledge is not only acknowledged, but respected, safeguarded, and retained within the communities it originates from? As we embrace digital tools, there is an urgent need to establish clear frameworks that prevent the exploitation or misrepresentation of cultural knowledge, while enabling Indigenous communities to lead and define the ways their histories and wisdom are used in the digital age.

The event featured a lineup of speakers and workshop facilitators who sparked vibrant discussion, critical reflection, and meaningful networking.

We welcomed back Te Ataahia Hurihanganui (Rangitāne, Ngāti Kahungunu-ki-Wairarapa, Ngāti Ira, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whāoa, Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wāhiao, Ngāti Whakaue-Ngāti Te Roro o te Rangi) as Kaikōrero for the second year. With her warmth, wisdom, and presence, Te Ataahia once again held the space beautifully, drawing our collective circle closer together as we shared our breath.

She was joined this year by Charmaine Tukua (Tainui, Ngāi Tahu) – Pouwhare, our 2022 ACE Aotearoa Educator of the Year | Tangata Whenua, who brought her own strength and insight to the kaupapa. Charmaine is a distinguished Māori educator with more than 25 years of dedicated service in adult and community education, particularly in the revitalisation of mātauranga Māori. As a senior educator at Ara Institute of Canterbury, she has profoundly influenced the delivery of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori programmes, focusing on foundational education in adult literacy, broadcasting and engineering.

Charmaine opened conference by taking us all on a journey as she welcomed us to her whenua. She spoke of her mountain Maungatere (Mount Grey) and her awa Rakahuri (the Ashley River) as well as the history of Kaiapoihia Pā. She also shared stories of her love of whānau and the strong wahine in her life including her great grandmother, grandmother and mother who she honored. We joined Charmaine on the journey from North Canterbury to Latimer Square, the conference venue.

Together, Te Ataahia and Charmaine helped guide us through a conference that challenged, inspired, and reconnected us — to each other, to our stories, and to the future ahead.