Te Kete o Karaitiana Taiuru (Blog)

Post Archive


  • Māori predictive TXT database

    Māori predictive TXT database

    First published in 2011 as a pdf with the title “Recommendation to update the NZ predictive TXT database: to create a new Māori predictive TXT database. Republished in January 2024 with the updated title “Māori predictive TXT database”. Using word frequency lists including: a Māori predictive text list, lists of common Māori words in New…

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  • Te Reo Māori revitalisation and adaption with AI

    Te Reo Māori revitalisation and adaption with AI

    ChatGPT has become a household name for many, and is usually in the mainstream media each day. There has been very little discussion about ChatGPT and the risks and benefits to Indigenous languages, and in particular Māori language – the indigenous language of New Zealand. ChatGPT and other Artificial Intelligence (AI) Language Learning Models (LLM’s)…

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  • Māori culture and language observations with ChatGPT

    Māori culture and language observations with ChatGPT

    ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) is a chatbot launched by OpenAI in November 2022.  It has been discussed by international mainstream media with many academics and education facilities concerned at it’s ability to assist with plagiarised writings and research. As with any new technologies, there is very little Indigenous perspectives or input into developments which…

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  • Why I support a dual name for New Zealand

    Aotearoa, while not an original name for New Zealand, has been popularised and is commonly used as the Māori name for the North, South and Stewart Islands. For this reason, I support the dual name being proposed by the Māori Party, to be an official dual name for New Zealand. It is important to note…

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  • Culturally Safe Mihimihi for non Māori

    At the beginning of meetings, as practiced on marae and in meetings all over the country, a round of introductions and speeches usually occurs. During this time, Māori ordinarily stand to share a little bit about where they come from and who they are. If you are of Māori descent, these introductions often start with…

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  • Google Translate Māori – Sexist and Ignorant of LGBTQ+

    Google Translate is another example of AI, Algorithms and Machine Learning discriminating against minorities, while misrepresenting the Maori language and customs . Google Translate interprets te reo Maori more accurately as it learns and is supporting the revival of te reo Māori. While it had the expertise of Dr Te Taka Keegan in its development,…

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  • Origins of the term Pākehā

    The word Pākehā is a controversial word for some people. Some Māori and non Māori claim that the word Pākehā is offensive. Others have attempted to explain the word based on their own understandings and sometimes own hapū and whānau interpretations. Introduction This article provides an holistic analysis based on research from the early 18th…

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  • Kingi appropriation or ill informed individuals

    The NZ Herald and Stuff have run a number of stories about a restaurant using the name “Kingi” and a few Māori and non Māori claiming it is cultural appropriation. The arguments are in my opinion getting so absurd that that I worry about the knowledge of some people who claim to be cultural experts…

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  • macrons in .nz domain names

    macrons in .nz domain names

    This blog post is an update to my June 05 2011 post “Registering a domain name with a macron“. Since July 26, 2010 in New Zealand, all authorised .nz registrars have to be able to register a .nz domain name with a macron. Not all offer this service though. This type of domain is called…

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  • Office 365 Māori Spell Checker

    Te Ngutu Kura free Māori Spell checker has been freely available since 2001. Microsoft do have a Māori Language Pack with a spell checker that is largely based on Te Ngutu Kura. The Microsoft Māori Language Pack is ideal for people writing in te reo Māori only. For those who need to predominately write in…

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