The first-ever National Māori ICT Hui has been announced, set to take place this November.

Launched by the Digital Māori Forum, the event is held over November 3-4 2016 at the Cheval Rooms, Hawkes Bay Racecourse in Hastings.

This conference tackles ICT issues not only in New Zealand but around the world, such as data sovereignty, technology breakthroughs, small business start-ups and New Zealand ICT-based information such as the $30 million ICT Fund.

Guest speakers include Ian Taylor, founder of Animation Research Ltd (ARL). ARL covers events all over the world - real time animated graphics such as ‘The Americas Cup'.

Taylor was inducted into the New Zealand Hi-Tech Hall Of Fame in 2009. In 2013 he was named Outstanding Māori Business Leader of the Year.

International speaker Mikaela Jade, founder of Indigital, is also set to feature at the event. Indigital are behind the Digital Ranger App, which uses non internet-based Augmented Reality technology to bring indigenous cultural sites to life.

“The first National Māori ICT Hui will not only bring Māori in ICT together, but our aim is to also bring more Māori into the ICT industry, bridging ICT businesses with potential employees instead of importing ICT practitioners from around the world,” the Digital Māori Forum says.