Health Recent Zealand | Te Whatu Ora turns Copilot into “BroPilot”, supporting Māori ways of working with AI Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has reimagined Microsoft Copilot as “BroPilot” to better align with Māori cultural values and ways of working, integrating te ao Māori principles into everyday AI use across the organization. This initiative reflects a commitment to co-designing technology that respects and upholds tikanga Māori, ensuring digital tools serve not only operational efficiency but as well cultural safety and inclusivity. The renaming of Copilot to BroPilot emerged from internal discussions among Māori staff and allies within Te Whatu Ora, aiming to create a more relatable and culturally resonant interface for AI assistance. “Bro” in this context draws from Māori colloquial usage, signifying kinship, mutual respect and collective responsibility—concepts central to whanaungatanga (relationship building) and kotahitanga (unity). By embedding these values into the AI experience, the organization seeks to foster a workplace where technology supports, rather than overrides, Māori ways of knowing and being. This adaptation goes beyond linguistic customization. It involves shaping how Copilot responds to user prompts, ensuring outputs reflect cultural awareness, avoid stereotypes, and prioritize equity in language and representation. For example, when generating communications or summarizing meetings, BroPilot is guided to use inclusive language that acknowledges te reo Māori and upholds the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi—partnership, protection, and participation. Te Whatu Ora’s approach builds on its broader digital transformation journey, which includes the nationwide rollout of Microsoft Teams Rooms in partnership with Spark New Zealand and Connect NZ. As of early 2026, over 400 Teams Rooms have been deployed across 100+ locations, standardizing meeting experiences for 88,000 staff and enabling seamless collaboration across formerly fragmented district health boards. This infrastructure provides the foundation for tools like BroPilot to function consistently and securely in clinical and administrative settings. The organization has also invested in upskilling staff through guided learning paths, ensuring teams understand how to use AI responsibly and effectively. Training emphasizes critical evaluation of AI-generated content, data privacy, and the importance of human oversight—particularly in health contexts where accuracy and cultural sensitivity are paramount. By transforming Copilot into BroPilot, Te Whatu Ora demonstrates how AI can be localized not just in language, but in ethos. The initiative serves as a model for other public sector organizations seeking to harmonize innovation with indigenous values, proving that technological advancement and cultural integrity can advance hand in hand. As AI continues to evolve, such intentional design will be key to ensuring it serves all communities fairly and respectfully.
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