Māori-led UAV, AI & digital futures
Te Rere Ao, The Digital Flight Trust builds pathways for rangatahi, whānau, kura, marae and communities to access drones, digital media, AI, XR, storytelling and emerging technologies, grounded in tikanga Māori, te reo Māori and whakapapa.
Kaupapa
Te Rere Ao, The Digital Flight Trust is a Rotorua-based charitable trust created to empower Māori communities through equitable access to drone technology, digital media and emerging technologies.
Our work sits at the meeting point of mātauranga Māori and future industry, where rangatahi can learn by doing, whānau can access new tools, kura and marae can strengthen capability, and indigenous stories can be protected and shared using the technologies shaping the next generation.
To uplift and empower Māori through digital platforms, preserving te reo me ngā tikanga, strengthening whakapapa, and fostering tino rangatiratanga in the digital world.
To empower Māori by leading digital innovation grounded in whakapapa, te reo Māori and tikanga, opening pathways to tino rangatiratanga in the digital age.
Values
Care, respect and support for whānau, learners, partners and communities.
Relationship-led learning, collaboration and long-term community trust.
Responsible innovation that protects whenua, stories, data and future generations.
Māori leadership, ownership and agency in technology and digital systems.
What we do
Culturally grounded drone training pathways, including Part 101 and Part 102 awareness, flight planning, safety, aerial cinematography, FPV systems and drone innovation.
Hands-on learning experiences for rangatahi across drones, coding, game design, digital media, AI tools, XR, robotics and creative technology.
Digital storytelling, oral history, whakapapa and iwi narrative projects that help record, store and share mātauranga safely and respectfully.
Support for under-resourced whānau, kura and communities through digital equipment, mobile learning units, software access and capability building.
Development of Māori-led media, animation, interactive tools, drone content, pūrākau-based digital experiences and emerging production workflows.
Partnerships, innovation challenges, expos and fellowships that connect Māori innovation with indigenous and global technology leaders.
Technology ecosystem
Drone operations, FPV systems, mapping and aerial innovation.
AI tools, automation, indigenous data systems and future workflows.
Immersive storytelling, virtual production and interactive cultural experiences.
Preserving whakapapa, reo and mātauranga through modern media systems.
Large-scale aerial storytelling and environmentally responsible live experiences.
Māori-led approaches to future technology and digital sovereignty.
The future we see
We see rangatahi designing autonomous systems, filming with FPV drones, mapping whenua with care, building indigenous AI tools, preserving whakapapa through digital archives, and carrying Māori stories into immersive worlds that our mokopuna can inherit with pride.
2025–2028 strategic focus
Te Rere Ao is designed to move communities from digital exclusion into digital confidence, then into digital leadership. The goal is not just to teach technology, it is to help Māori communities own, shape and lead the systems that will define the future.
Pathway model
Remove barriers to equipment, internet, tools, mentors and safe learning environments.
Deliver practical wānanga in UAV operations, digital production, coding, AI, XR and creative tech.
Support learners to build projects, tell stories, map whenua, capture content and solve local problems.
Grow Māori innovators, pilots, creators, developers, entrepreneurs and indigenous technology leaders.
Who this is for
Your support helps purchase equipment, deliver wānanga, fund scholarships, build digital access and create measurable Māori tech outcomes.
Te Rere Ao creates safe, future-focused learning opportunities where rangatahi can gain confidence, skills and real career direction.
We partner with kura, schools and learning providers to bring drones, media, AI and digital storytelling into culturally grounded education.
We support digital preservation, mapping, storytelling, capability building and technology pathways that serve local priorities.
Governance & leadership
Founding Trustee, Chairperson & Director of UAV Innovation
(Ngāti Porou / Te Ātiawa / Rangitāne)
George Jordan is a veteran broadcast technician, filmmaker, UAV innovator, and Māori technology advocate with nearly three decades of experience across television, live production, drone operations, and digital storytelling.
His career began in radio before moving into national broadcasting, where he became known for his work in technical direction, multicam production, lighting, vision switching, and live event broadcasting for major New Zealand networks including Whakaata Māori, TVNZ, TV3, Sky Sport, Trackside NZ, and numerous independent productions.
Alongside his broadcasting career, George developed a strong focus on emerging technologies, becoming a Civil Aviation Authority Part 102 Licensed UAV Operator and recognised FPV drone pilot under the name OmenFPV. As a founding trustee of Te Rere Ao, George leads the Trust’s UAV innovation strategy, drone education pathways, technology infrastructure, and digital capability development.
Founding Trustee, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary & CEO / Strategy Director
(Te Arawa / Tainui / Ngāti Tūwharetoa)
Lillian Jordan is a producer, strategist, communications specialist, and kaupapa Māori leader with more than 25 years of experience across film, television, digital communications, stakeholder engagement, and organisational development.
Her experience spans broadcast television, documentary production, communications management, marketing strategy, and iwi-focused storytelling projects. Beyond production, Lillian has played key leadership roles in digital transformation, organisational strategy, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
As a founding trustee of Te Rere Ao, Lillian oversees strategic development, governance coordination, partnerships, communications, and long-term organisational sustainability.
Founding Trustee & Cultural / Creative Operations Director
(Raukawa / Ngāpuhi)
Byron Heketaunga Toki Thompson is a creative practitioner, cultural advisor, Māori language advocate, and production specialist with extensive experience across Māori media, live events, storytelling, and creative operations.
His work spans television, music, performance, digital content, and kaupapa Māori creative development, with a strong focus on protecting and elevating indigenous narratives through modern media platforms.
As a founding trustee of Te Rere Ao, Byron leads cultural and creative operations across the Trust’s programmes and initiatives. He supports kaupapa Māori engagement, rangatahi mentorship, creative development, and the integration of mātauranga Māori into digital storytelling and technology education.
Trust & accountability
Support the mission
Donations, sponsorships, equipment support, partnerships and programme funding help Te Rere Ao deliver practical technology pathways for rangatahi, whānau, kura, marae and communities.
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