Artificial Intelligence Conference 2025.
Feb. 11, 2026
On Friday 31 October, 2025 Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union hosted an online conference which critically explored the relationship between AI, tertiary education, TEU's five mātāpono | purposes – Te Tiriti o Waitangi, decent work, equity, quality tertiary education, and environmental sustainability.
The conference created a space for members, educators, and researchers to examine both the opportunities and challenges of AI whilst collectively considering how AI can be shaped in ways that uphold TEU's shared values, protect staff and students, and strengthen the future of tertiary education in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Recordings of each conference session are available below. Click here to view the conference programme.
AI and the union movement
Jack Foster – Te Kauae Kaimahi New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
Mana Mahi: Keeping decent work at the centre as AI reshapes tertiary education
Dr Hansi Gunasinghe – Southern Institute of Technology
Dr Leon Salter – University of Auckland
Java Grant (facilitator) – University of Auckland
Mana Taurite: Exploring how AI can support equity and inclusion across tertiary education
Dr Andrew Lensen – Victoria University of Wellington
Dr Ally Gibson – Victoria University of Wellington
Prof Stephen Marshall – Victoria University of Wellington
Roya Gorjifard (facilitator) – Victoria University of Wellington
Mana Taiao: Ensuring AI in tertiary education aligns with climate action and environmental justice
Ruth Irwin – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Simon McCallum – Victoria University of Wellington
Christine Cheyne (facilitator) – Toi Ohomai Rotorua
Mana Tiriti: Navigating the relationship between AI, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the future of tertiary education
Brendon Shaw – Papatoetoe North School
Dr Kevin Shedlock – Victoria University of Wellington
Olivier Jutel – University of Otago
Warwick Tie (facilitator) – Massey University
Mana Mātauranga: Harnessing AI to strengthen teaching, learning, and research, and uphold public tertiary education
Dr Selena Chan – ARA Institute of Technology
Warwick Tie – Massey University
Dr Shahper Richter – University of Auckland
Traci Meek-Reid (facilitator) – Southern Institute of Technology
Conference Reflections: Bringing it all together – TEU's role in shaping AI in tertiary education
Conference Organising Committee
Dr Julie Douglas (facilitator) – TEU Te Tumu Whakarae—Tiriti | Co-President—Tiriti