Aikumu

Aikumu is a digital platform and community initiative based in Wellington, New Zealand, dedicated to strengthening the use and visibility of the Māori language and culture online. Founded in 2016 by a group of Māori technologists and cultural scholars, the project arose from a desire to create a user‑friendly, culturally appropriate digital space where Māori speakers could connect, share content, and access resources in te reo Māori.

The platform offers a range of tools for content creation, including an integrated publishing engine, a library of Māori language learning modules, and a marketplace for local Māori arts and crafts. Aikumu also hosts regular webinars and virtual events that feature Māori language tutors, storytellers, and community leaders. The project places a strong emphasis on community moderation, with a framework that encourages users to uphold positive linguistic and cultural norms.

By 2023, Aikumu reported more than 15,000 active users and had partnered with several iwi (tribes) and educational institutions to promote Māori language revitalisation in digital contexts. The initiative has received recognition from the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage for its contribution to mātauranga Māori (knowledge) in the 21st‑century digital environment. Aikumu continues to develop new features aimed at making te reo Māori more accessible to younger generations, while also providing tools for businesses seeking to incorporate Māori culture into their online presence.