Who We Are

The AI Forum New Zealand | Te Kāhui Atamai Iahiko o Aotearoa is Aotearoa’s leading voice for artificial intelligence, bringing together more than 280 members from industry, academia, government, and civil society to shape our AI future.

As part of the AI Forum’s strategic thinking in 2025, we adopted the koru to represent our strategic road map, reflecting the mauri or life force nurturing new ideas and discussions, while firmly grounding us as part of the environment. 

PART OF TECH NEW ZEALAND

Tech New Zealand brings together 16 communities, united by a shared purpose: to strengthen Aotearoa’s tech ecosystem and create positive impact across the motu. As an active partner in this connected network, AI Forum New Zealand contributes to a collective voice representing thousands of organisations and tens of thousands of workers nationwide. Together, our communities bring their expertise to the table to ensure technology is shaped in ways that serve our people, our places, and our future.

WHO WE ARE

Since our founding in 2017, we’ve built a reputation as a trusted partner across sectors, advancing the AI ecosystem through connections, advocacy and action, talent development and collaboration. In 2025 we had more than 200 volunteers creating valuable content we shared for free to help organisations adopt AI responsibly and effectively. We’re the largest community within Tech New Zealand, with more than 280 members—75% business organisations, 8% government agencies, 5% academic institutions, and 12% individuals and NGOs. 99% of our members are based in Aotearoa, spanning from the far North to Southland, across every sector of our economy.

Inclusive

We build on the firm foundations set by our Kāhui Māori advisory panel, amplify Pacific voices through our Pacific Advisory Panel, and actively advance AI literacy and accessibility for all New Zealanders through events like our annual New Zealand-wide AI Hackathon Festivals.

Innovative

We celebrate our innovation stories, lead engagement for major AI initiatives including NZIAT’s $70m Fund, and champion  Indigenous AI and AI for the Environment, Aotearoa’s natural AI super powers.

Responsible

We build trust and social license through our work on AI governance, sustainability, convening impactful discussions and creating safe places for people to experiment with AI. Our AIGovernance.nz platform provides world-class frameworks and toolkits freely available to all.

We bring AI to life through influential research, policy submissions, practical guidance, and events that connect and upskill our community. Our 8 Working Groups—covering the AI Blueprint for Aotearoa, Generative AI, AI Governance, AI for the Environment, AI for HR, Architecture, Engineering & Construction, Kāhui Māori Atamai Iahiko, and our Pacific Advisory Panel—drive thought leadership and create resources valuable to all of Aotearoa.

In 2025 alone, we ran 48 events reaching 400+ delegates, mobilised 200+ volunteers, made government and international submissions, supported New Zealand’s participation in the creation of international standards (ISO) for AI and launched the inaugural Aotearoa AI Awards. Our annual AI Summit (400+ delegates), NZ-wide AI Hackathon Festival (400+ participants), AI in Creative Industries Summit (250 delegates) and regular research reports on AI’s impact on productivity have become cornerstone events in Aotearoa’s technology calendar.