About this site
The AI Forum NZ established an AI Governance Working Group to lead the development of a practical, responsible approach to AI governance in Aotearoa New Zealand. This group brings together leaders and practitioners from across sectors to shape guidance that is grounded in the local context while drawing from global good practice.
Similar to an oceangoing waka navigating vast and shifting seas, this website supports organisations as they chart their course through the currents and complexities of responsible AI adoption. Our insights are gathered into a basket of knowledge, designed to help you read the signs like celestial navigation points. Visual wayfinding through AI-generated imagery references changing weather patterns, waves and stars, the movements of birds and sea life, and the wisdom of nature. These are your metaphorical guidelines, illuminating the path forward and empowering you to make ethical, strategic decisions with clarity and confidence. This website is a testament to the power of community and collaboration. Let’s shape the future together!
Why AI Governance?
AI Governance drives real value
AI governance is essential for all organisations of every size and sector. It provides tangible benefits that support innovation, resilience and trust.
A catalyst for innovation & risk reduction
Robust AI governance reduces costly rework, strengthens system reliability and helps teams move faster with greater confidence. This can save both time and resources. It proactively manages AI risks such as bias, privacy breaches, and reputational damage, lowering the potential financial and operational impacts of incidents. Overall, AI governance increases trust in the use of AI, thereby supporting ongoing innovation.
A local approach that builds global confidence
In Aotearoa, responsible AI begins with strong data governance and honouring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi, as well as adherence with existing laws, such as the Privacy Act 2020. By aligning with frameworks like the Algorithm Charter, the AI Forum’s Trustworthy AI in Aotearoa ethical principles, and applicable laws, organisations can build systems and implement practices that are ethical, inclusive, and ready for the future.
The recently released MBIE Responsible AI Guidance for Business, outlines key safeguards and good practice principles for businesses exploring or using AI in Aotearoa.
This site complements that guidance by offering action-oriented practices, grouped into pathways,with implementation tips and examples to help organisations operationalise those principles in ways that are proportional to their size, sector, and the level of risk involved in their use of AI.
Outcomes of good AI Governance
Faster Innovation
Reduce development delays and costly rework with clear AI practices
Lower Risk Exposure
Avoid harm to people, compliance breaches and reputational damage through proactive risk management
Competitive Edge
Stay ahead of regulations and build stakeholder trust with transparent governance
Greater adoption
Stay ahead of regulations and build stakeholder trust with transparent governance
Built for Aotearoa New Zealand
In Aotearoa New Zealand, effective AI governance also means aligning with local values, Treaty obligations, and homegrown frameworks and local laws. By embedding these, organisations can ensure AI is fair, inclusive, and future-ready
At AI Forum, we believe
In the transformative power of community and collaboration. By connecting with the AI community, sharing insights, and engaging in meaningful dialogue, we aim to shape a future where AI serves as a safe, equitable, and beneficial force for everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Use what’s relevant, based on risk
Not every organisation will need to apply all the practices proposed in this website. Whether you are designing AI in-house or only adopting third-party tools, focus on the level of governance that fits the risks involved. The Understand the risks of AI section outlines the most common issues and shows how to think about them using a tiered approach.
Understanding AI Governance
Overcoming the framework maze.
What is AI Governance?
At an organisational level, AI governance refers to the systems, processes, and responsibilities in place to ensure that an organisation’s use of AI is ethical, lawful, and aligned with its goals and values. In practical terms, it means setting expectations and guardrails for how AI is developed, deployed, used and monitored, while ensuring it is transparent, fair, and accountable. For a broader perspective, refer to the IAPP’s definition of AI Governance.
Our response: a pathway-based approach
To help organisations move from intention to execution, we chose a practical, maturity-based approach: the AI Governance Pathways. This model breaks governance into practical, achievable steps, making it easier to get started, build confidence, and mature your governance capability over time.
The framework maze
With so many AI governance frameworks available, it is no surprise that organisations often feel overwhelmed when trying to decide where to start. Each framework varies in purpose, depth, and intended audience, some are very detailed and technical and others are broad and high-level. Many offer useful principles but fail to provide clear, practical steps for implementation. This makes it hard, especially for organisations with limited resources or expertise, to move from good intentions to day-to-day practices that work in their specific context.
AI Governance Pathways
Start simple, scale with confidence.
AI Ready
Just getting started?
For organisations new to AI governance. Learn how to set basic policies, track AI use, and put human oversight in place. Perfect for laying strong foundations.
AI Smart
Already governing AI?
For organisations with some AI governance experience. This pathway helps you strengthen your practices, from clarifying roles and responsibilities to improving documentation, data governance, and explainability.
AI Trusted
Leading the way?
For more mature organisations ready to align with international standards, embed ethical principles, and conduct advanced risk, bias, and fairness assessments.
Library
A curated hub of frameworks, standards, and educational tools.
AI eLearning Modules
Explore, learn and thrive with AI at your own pace
International Standards & Regulations
Stay aligned with global frameworks like the EU AI Act and ISO standards
Workshop Essentials
Ready-to-use resources to run your own internal AI Governance workshop
AI Procurement Guides
Step-by-step guidance to support key decisions involved in selecting or adopting AI tools
Leadership & Community
Building capability and collaboration.
AI Leadership
The AI Forum brings together leaders from across industry, academia, and government who are committed to advancing responsible AI. Their insights, lived experience, and collaboration shape the tools, practices, and guidance found throughout this site, helping you connect with what works in real-world contexts.
AI capability directory
Join our growing map of Aotearoa New Zealand AI ecosystem. Whether you are a company, startup, researcher, or advocate — help us showcase the depth and breadth of local capability and talent.
Articles
Read articles from practitioners sharing their experiences, emerging trends, and lessons learnt. These are the voices of the AI Governance community.
We’d love your feedback!
Let us know what’s working, and what you’d like to see next.