“Protecting from the implications of AI?” God help NZ publishing if that is to rationale moving forward.
This story broke while I was offline, but warranted keeping on ice until a semblance of normal service resumed.
Māori Leader to Champion AI Protections, Indigenous Rights, and Digital Equity
Eboni Waitere (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne) has been named as the new President of the Publishers Association of New Zealand (PANZ).
Waitere, who is also the Executive Director of the Māori-owned HUIA Publishers, brings significant industry expertise to the role, the publisher taking the Bologna Prize for Oceania’s Best Children’s Publisher of the Year.
Her appointment is noted by PANZ as a significant milestone, highlighting the strength of Māori leadership and signalling a shift in Aotearoa New Zealand’s publishing landscape.
Strategic Priorities for the Industry
In her new capacity, Waitere has outlined a forward-thinking agenda focused on critical industry challenges. Per the press release, a central pillar will be advocating for robust legal frameworks to protect creators from the implications of artificial intelligence. She also plans to champion indigenous rights and work towards ensuring fair access and equity within the digital publishing ecosystem.
Waitere sees her presidency as an opportunity to future-proof New Zealand’s copyright settings. This involves creating a system that properly values mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), supports local publishers, and ensures the protection and respect of storytellers’ voices.
A Focus on Collaboration and Investment
Expressing her enthusiasm, Waitere stated she is “excited to be of service back to the publishing community,” which she believes possesses “world-class” talent in both trade and education publishing. She aims to build on the sector’s existing global exports of stories and ideas through collective strength and strategic collaboration.
A key personal priority will be the education space and literacy rates. Waitere intends to reignite New Zealand’s status as an international leader in educational resources by advocating for stronger investment and cross-sector collaboration, emphasising the importance of valuing local content.
The View From The Beach
A big step forward for Maoris, but is it good for the NZ publishing eco-system? If the press release is accurate it looks like she has bought into the Dan Conway School of Tepid Luddism when it comes to AI.
“Advocating for robust legal frameworks to protect creators from the implications of artificial intelligence” and the “opportunity to future-proof New Zealand’s copyright settings” actually means paying lip-service to progress while clinging to the past.
“Protecting from the implications of AI?” God help NZ publishing if that is to be the rationale moving forward.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
