15 Sep 2022

Tech partnership aims to translate news into te reo Maori at scale

From Nine To Noon, 9:05 am on 15 September 2022
KIa Kaha Te Reo Maori

Photo: Maori Language Commission

A new partnership between a local translation software company and Microsoft aims to bring vastly more daily news in te reo Maori in print and online. Straker Translations is based in Tamaki Makaurau, listed on the Australian stock exchange, and has a growing list of global customers, including a recent contract signed with the United Nations.

The business uses AI, machine-learning and human translators to provide translations in a multitude of languages. Founder and CEO Grant Straker (Ngāti Raukawa) says the partnership with Microsoft will enable news media to translate whole articles into te reo Māori at scale.

He speaks with Kathryn Ryan, along with Microsoft New Zealand Managing Director Vanessa Sorenson.