Google Maps Gets Kiwi Voice & Te Reo | Auckland News

Auckland News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 2, 2026 · 1m

Google Maps in New Zealand is getting a Kiwi voice—complete with authentic accents and, for the first time, accurate pronunciations of te reo Māori place names. This isn’t just about sounding local; it’s a powerful step toward cultural recognition and language preservation. Powered by AI trained with input from Māori experts, the update ensures respectful, precise pronunciation—helping keep te reo visible and alive. The collaboration with Te Taura Whiri began in 2022, navigating cultural and IP complexities to ensure Māori custodianship, with Google licensing the data for the TTS model. For…