Hui Fono 2026

Keynote Speakers

Peter-Lucas Jones
Te Aupōuri, Ngāi Takoto, Te Rarawa 
CEO of Te Hiku Media

Peter-Lucas Jones is a visionary leader at the forefront of Māori language revitalisation through technology, and iwi media. As CEO of Te Hiku Media, he spearheads the development of cutting-edge te reo Māori natural language processing tools, including speech-to-text and text-to-speech systems, and indigenous language pronunciation modelling transforming the digital landscape for Indigenous languages.
 
A passionate advocate for intergenerational language transmission, Indigenous data sovereignty, and AI-driven language data licensing, Peter-Lucas plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of Māori language use in the digital age. His expertise in corpus development and AI innovation has positioned Te Hiku Media as a global leader in Indigenous language technology.
 
Peter-Lucas was named to TIME Magazine’s 100 AI list for 2024, an achievement that underscores his impact on the global movement for Indigenous language preservation through artificial intelligence. This year, he was also honoured with the Te Tihi Award at the Tai Tokerau Māori Business Awards for his efforts in promoting Māori Data Sovereignty globally and leveraging AI to preserve language and culture. 
He holds key governance roles, including Chair of Te Rūnanga Nui o Te Aupōuri, Chair of Te Whakaruruhau o Ngā Reo Irirangi Māori, and Deputy Chair of Whakaata Māori.

At Hui Fono 2026, Peter-Lucas headlines as a keynote speaker and will also lead a masterclass. Session details coming soon.
 

Namulau'ulu Nu'uali'i Eteroa Lafaele is a Samoan technology leader advancing digital equity and artificial intelligence capability across Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific. Born and raised in Cannons Creek, Porirua, with roots in the villages of Fogapoa, Leulumoega Tuai, and Tafagamanu Lefaga, her commitment to community and service has shaped everything she has built since.

Eteroa studied Computer Science and worked as a Software Engineer before co-founding Fibre Fale in 2022, a purpose-led collective creating pathways for Pacific people in technology. She now serves as its Head of AI and Culture. She is also the author of the children's book Ete Fixes the Glitch, written to show young people they belong in technology as creators, not just consumers.

Her leadership has been widely recognised. Eteroa is the 2025 Young New Zealander of the Year, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree for Social Impact, and recipient of the Hi Tech NZ Young Achiever Award, Young IT Professional of the Year, and the Prime Minister's Award for STEM.

At Hui Fono 2026, Eteroa headlines as a keynote speaker and will also lead a masterclass. 

It will be an eye-opening session exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we live, work, and connect. We'll look at the real world impacts of AI, the opportunities it creates and the important things to keep in mind as we navigate this rapidly changing landscape. From everyday tools to bigger picture thinking, you'll leave with a clearer understanding of what AI means for you, your family, and your community.

Go back to Hui Fono 2026.