Care, respect and support for whānau, learners, partners and communities.
Māori-led aerospace, AI & digital futures
Indigenous innovation,
engineered for the next generation.
Te Rere Ao empowers Māori communities through UAV systems, artificial intelligence, immersive technologies, digital storytelling, and future-focused education grounded in tikanga Māori, whakapapa and tino rangatiratanga.
CC64274
Registered Charity
500+
Future UAV Capacity
Aotearoa
Rotorua Based
About us
A trust built for Māori digital self-determination.
Who we are
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.
Mission
To uplift and empower Māori through digital platforms, preserving te reo me ngā tikanga, strengthening whakapapa, and fostering tino rangatiratanga in the digital world.
Vision
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
Technology with whakapapa, purpose and responsibility.
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
Programmes built for real skills, real access and real futures.
✦
UAV & Drone Education
Culturally grounded drone training pathways, including Part 101 and Part 102 awareness, flight planning, safety, aerial cinematography, FPV systems and drone innovation.
◌
Rangatahi Tech Wānanga
Hands-on learning experiences for rangatahi across drones, coding, game design, digital media, AI tools, XR, robotics and creative technology.
⌁
Mātauranga Māori Archives
Digital storytelling, oral history, whakapapa and iwi narrative projects that help record, store and share mātauranga safely and respectfully.
⬡
Digital Access & Inclusion
Support for under-resourced whānau, kura and communities through digital equipment, mobile learning units, software access and capability building.
◎
Creative Technology Studio
Development of Māori-led media, animation, interactive tools, drone content, pūrākau-based digital experiences and emerging production workflows.
△
Indigenous Tech Exchange
Partnerships, innovation challenges, expos and fellowships that connect Māori innovation with indigenous and global technology leaders.
Technology ecosystem
Building Māori capability across the technologies shaping the future.
UAV Systems
Drone operations, FPV systems, mapping and aerial innovation.
Artificial Intelligence
AI tools, automation, indigenous data systems and future workflows.
XR & Spatial Computing
Immersive storytelling, virtual production and interactive cultural experiences.
Digital Storytelling
Preserving whakapapa, reo and mātauranga through modern media systems.
Drone Light Shows
Large-scale aerial storytelling and environmentally responsible live experiences.
Indigenous Innovation
Māori-led approaches to future technology and digital sovereignty.
2025–2028 strategic focus
From access to leadership.
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.
100+whānau targeted for training and device access
50+rangatahi per annual tech immersion cohort
3 yearsstrategic plan for growth, reporting and impact
6core strategic priorities across equity, culture and innovation
Pathway model
Learn. Fly. Create. Lead.
01
Access
Remove barriers to equipment, internet, tools, mentors and safe learning environments.
02
Training
Deliver practical wānanga in UAV operations, digital production, coding, AI, XR and creative tech.
03
Creation
Support learners to build projects, tell stories, map whenua, capture content and solve local problems.
04
Leadership
Grow Māori innovators, pilots, creators, developers, entrepreneurs and indigenous technology leaders.
Who this is for
One kaupapa, many doors in.
For donors & funders
Your support helps purchase equipment, deliver wānanga, fund scholarships, build digital access and create measurable Māori tech outcomes.
For parents & whānau
Te Rere Ao creates safe, future-focused learning opportunities where rangatahi can gain confidence, skills and real career direction.
For kura & educators
We partner with kura, schools and learning providers to bring drones, media, AI and digital storytelling into culturally grounded education.
For marae, hapū & iwi
We support digital preservation, mapping, storytelling, capability building and technology pathways that serve local priorities.
Governance & leadership
Led by people who build, fly, create and serve.
George Te Rauna Jordan
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.
Over the years, George has worked across some of the country’s largest studio productions, live sporting broadcasts, current affairs programmes, and major events, operating in high-pressure environments where technical precision and creative problem-solving are critical.
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. He specialises in cinematic FPV flight, drone innovation, aerial storytelling, and integrating advanced technologies into Māori creative spaces.
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. His vision is centred on ensuring Māori communities are not left behind in the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, spatial computing, robotics, autonomous systems, and digital production technologies.
Lillian Teressa Jordan
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.
Throughout her career she has worked across a wide range of productions and strategic initiatives, building a reputation for strong leadership, authentic storytelling, and the ability to manage complex creative and operational environments.
Her experience spans broadcast television, documentary production, communications management, marketing strategy, and iwi-focused storytelling projects. Lillian has worked alongside major broadcasters and production teams including Whakaata Māori, TVNZ, Sky Sport, and independent Māori production companies.
Beyond production, Lillian has played key leadership roles in digital transformation, organisational strategy, and stakeholder engagement initiatives, particularly within kaupapa Māori and community-focused spaces.
As a founding trustee of Te Rere Ao, Lillian oversees strategic development, governance coordination, partnerships, communications, and long-term organisational sustainability. Her leadership is focused on building safe, empowering environments where rangatahi and Māori communities can access future-focused technologies while remaining grounded in culture, identity, and indigenous knowledge systems.
Byron Toki Thompson
Founding Trustee & Cultural / Creative Operations Director
(Ngāti Porou / Te Whānau-ā-Apanui)
Byron 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.
Byron brings a deep understanding of tikanga Māori, Māori language, and indigenous creative practice, alongside practical experience in production coordination, lighting, set operations, and drone ground crew management.
Known for his ability to bridge traditional knowledge with contemporary creative expression, Byron plays an important role in ensuring cultural integrity remains central within technology and innovation projects.
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
Transparent, charitable and built for long-term impact.
Legal nameTe Rere Ao, The Digital Flight Trust
Charities RegistrationCC64274
NZBN9429052966408
EstablishedAugust 2025
BaseRotorua, Aotearoa New Zealand
Domainterereao.org.nz
Support the mission
Help us put future technology in Māori hands.
Donations, sponsorships, equipment support, partnerships and programme funding help Te Rere Ao deliver practical technology pathways for rangatahi, whānau, kura, marae and communities.
Contact