Tech giant Apple has announced new community initiatives for Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.
Its Apple Maps application now features indigenous lands on both sides of the Tasman. For New Zealand, Apple said it worked with indigenous cartographers and iwi, to develop detailed place cards and map icons.
On top of Apple Maps, the new place cards show up through the MapKit framework in other apps bundled with the company's operating system, such as find my device and people locator, weather, Siri the personal digital assistant, and messages.
“For Tūhourangi, this partnership with Apple Maps is more than just a technological collaboration — it reflects our role as kaitiaki (caretakers), ensuring the protection and accurate representation of our cultural heritage,” said Annie Balle from Tūhourangi iwi.
“By bringing our stories to a global audience, we can uphold our narratives, safeguard our data sovereignty, and demonstrate how indigenous knowledge and technology can work together to promote cultural understanding and sustainability," Balle added.
There will be dual language labels from now. Australia will have similar initiatives, aimed at preserving indigenous culture and sharing the legacy with the world.
Apple has also extended its community grants locally.
The company has an existing relationship with Te Pūkenga New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, which is now being expanded to more teachers in Māori immersion schools, to help students with essential skills.
As befits Apple, the educators will get access to technology, digital curricula and ongoing learning support - and earn a new accreditation in digital technology.
Te Pūkenga's programme has been piloted in 10 Auckland schools, Apple said. It will now extend to a further 12 schools in Te Tai Tokerau, doubling the number of students it reaches, with resources in Te Reo.
Research by Unitec's Māori and Indigenous Research Centre shows the success of the programme: it increases access to technology and opportunity for Māori in schools, enhances digital fluency and confidence among educators.
In New Zealand, Apple supports Tāmaki Makaurau iwi Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and its Revive Our Gulf project with a grant. The project aims to help restore the mussel reefs of the Hauraki Gulf, improve water quality, stabilise the seafloor, and restore biodiversity.
The company is also partnering with Te Karanga, to support young people excluded from mainstream education, and its Creative Pathways programme. The programme focuses on career exploration, entrepreneurship, and creativity for young people from the Māori and Pasifika communities.
Te Whānau-ā-Apanui's seaweed hatchery and carbon sequestration research project has also received a grant from Apple.
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