10 – 12 June 2025
Rydges Latimer Christchurch, 30 Latimer Square, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8011, Ōtautahi (Christchurch)
AI | AI – Bridging Artificial and Ancestral Intelligence
Conference Programme (subject to updates as speakers and facilitators are confirmed)
Tuesday June 10
6:00 – 8:00 pm Pre-conference cocktail event – networking with Hui Fono participants hosted by Tagata Moana
Wednesday June 11
8:30 am Conference registration open
9:30 am Mihi Whakatau
10:00 am Welcome and morning tea
10:30 am Setting the Scene: learn more about mana whenua (local people), kōrero of iwi, history, whakapapa
10:45 am Setting the Scene: introduction and explanation of theme and programme, defining A.I
11:00 am Whakawhanaungatanga: ACE environmental scan overview of ACE, getting to know the sector, getting to know who is attending ACE Conference (geographic, demographic, learner demographics, programme types, provider characteristics, workforce)
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Keynote speaker – Dr Karaitiana Taiuru
1:20 pm Panel – hear from ancestral leaders, technologists and educators
2:00 pm Afternoon tea
2:30 pm Wānanga / Talanoa: small group discussions - A.I in ACE
3:00 pm Ako sessions: concurrent sessions
4:00 pm Ako sessions: concurrent sessions
5:00 pm Reflections from Day One, karakia whakamutunga
7:00 pm Dinner
8:00 pm ACE Aotearoa Annual Awards
9:00 pm Entertainment
11:00 pm Close Day Two
Thursday June 12
9:00 am Karakia timatanga
9:05 am Reflections
9:15 am Keynote speaker
9:35 am Panel
10:00 am Morning tea
10:30 am Ako sessions: concurrent session
12:30 pm Lunch
1:30 pm A.I learning environment simulation
2:30 pm Evaluation –wrap up and considerations for sector action2:30 pm Evaluation –wrap up and considerations for sector action
3:00 pm Whakakapi
3:30 pm Karakia whakamutunga, afternoon tea and departures
Wānanga | Talanoa
The wānanga and talanoa is a dedicated and deliberate space in the programme founded on Māori and Pacific pedagogy. In this session we discuss key learning, ask questions, share insights and offer ideas about how this might be applied in our work and back in our communities. The concept of talanoa builds on the definitions that it is ‘a personal encounter where people story their issues, their realities and aspirations’ (Vaioleti, 1999-2003), and wānanga ‘as a doorway into higher learning’ (Turia, 2006). The wānanga / talanoa space is to reflect on our learning, identify ongoing professional development needs and to encourage planning for action at a local, regional and national level.
Wānanga: to meet, talk, discuss, debate, learn
Talanoa: (term used in Tonga, Sāmoa, Fiji) to come together, speak without restriction