Apple Maps updates feature Indigenous lands & cultures

Apple has announced new initiatives in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand that aim to integrate technology in cultural preservation and educational advancement efforts across the regions.

One of the significant developments is the updated depiction of Indigenous lands in Apple Maps.

This has been achieved through collaboration with Indigenous advisors, cartographers, and community members in both countries. The maps now incorporate reserves, Indigenous Protected Areas, place names, Traditional Country, and dual-language labels. There are also enhanced place cards featuring details about local areas and Traditional Owners. In New Zealand, Apple has worked closely with Māori iwi to develop detailed place cards, including one for marae, a significant cultural centre for Māori.

Annie Balle from Tūhourangi iwi commented, "For Tūhourangi, this partnership with Apple Maps is more than just a technological collaboration — it reflects our role as kaitiaki (caretakers), ensuring the protection and accurate representation of our cultural heritage."

"By bringing our stories to a global audience, we can uphold our narratives, safeguard our data sovereignty, and demonstrate how Indigenous knowledge and technology can work together to promote cultural understanding and sustainability."

In Australia, the map updates have been informed by language data from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) combined with input from local language holders and Aboriginal Land Trusts.

Rodriguez Pindiying from Mamadawerre stated, "Sharing our story and deep connection to the land is a meaningful moment for our community — a testament to our resilience, history, and vision for the future. This isn't just about geography; it's about preserving our culture and ensuring Mamadawerre's legacy for generations."

Additionally, these Indigenous representations will appear across Apple's range of applications including Weather and Find My, as well as in third-party apps utilising MapKit.

Apple has also highlighted a commitment to extending community grants.

In New Zealand, the company is expanding its collaboration with Te Pūkenga New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. The initiative aims to provide Maori immersion schools with digital curricula and learning support. Anihera Black, a teacher at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Kotuku, shared, "Thanks to this partnership, I have gained confidence in my teaching practice, knowing that I can integrate the latest technology without feeling stuck in the past."

Elsewhere, Apple's grants are supporting projects such as the Revive Our Gulf project, which focuses on restoring mussel reefs in the Hauraki Gulf, and the Creative Pathways programme aimed at career exploration for young people from Māori and Pasifika communities.

In Australia, Apple is enhancing its work with the Karrkad Kanjdji Trust (KKT), supporting Indigenous women's ranger programmes and educational initiatives.

Stacy Irving, CEO of KKT, remarked, "At Karrkad Kanjdji Trust, we know that caring for Country is a deeply interconnected practice — one that brings together people, culture, knowledge, and landscapes."

Support is also being extended to institutions and projects such as Worawa Aboriginal College, the Djamu Youth Justice Program, and the organisation ID. Know Yourself, among others.

On the educational front, Apple is continuing its partnership with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and introducing the Apple Foundation Programme at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth. Professor Clare Pollock, ECU's Vice-Chancellor, said, "ECU City is a prime location for the Apple Foundation Program, with its dynamic combination of business, creative industries, and technology providing a ripe environment for out-of-the-box thinking, innovation, and exploration."