contentType: lesson estimatedTime: “30 minutes” author: “Graeme Smith and Liza Kohunui” tags: [“ai”,“policy”,“leadership”]

The Five Leadership Domains — A Practical Framework

This section operationalises a five-domain framework for AI leadership in educational institutions, encompassing vision and values, capability development, policy governance, infrastructure provision, and evaluation mechanisms. Drawing on the concept of ngā ringa e rima (five hands working together), the content emphasises the interdependence of leadership domains. It establishes tikanga-based principles for each domain—including pono (integrity), ako (reciprocal learning), tino rangatiratanga (self-determination), whanaungatanga (relationships), and kaitiakitanga (guardianship)—positioning AI governance as an integrated, culturally grounded organisational responsibility

Created by Graeme Smith and Liza Kohunui

AI leadership isn’t just a technical challenge — it’s organisational, cultural, and relational.

These five domains offer a simple, practical framework for designing responsible, sustainable AI adoption across your institution.

Think of them as the core areas where leadership influence is most needed:

• Vision + Values – setting direction and ethical intent

• Capability + PLD – supporting staff and learner development

• Policy + Governance – creating clarity and alignment

• Infrastructure + Support – ensuring tools, systems, and access are safe and equitable

• Evaluation + Accountability – learning from impact and improving over time

Together, they form the backbone of responsible AI integration in Aotearoa’s education sector.

Each domain answers a crucial question:

• Why are we using AI? (Vision)

• How do we help people use it well? (Capability)

• What protects us? (Policy)

• What enables us? (Infrastructure)

• How do we learn and improve? (Evaluation)

Leaders don’t need to be AI experts — but they must ensure these domains are resourced, aligned, and grounded in values.

🪶 Ngā Ringa e Rima | The Five Hands Working Together

In te ao Māori, nothing stands alone. Leadership is woven — not siloed.

These five domains can be understood as ngā ringa e rima —

five hands working together to hold and protect the wellbeing of your learning community.

When one hand is weak, the whole whāriki becomes unstable.

Ngā Mahi | In Practice

• Vision without infrastructure leaves people behind

• Policy without relationships becomes oppressive

• Capability without evaluation creates false confidence

• Infrastructure without values serves efficiency, not people

• Evaluation without manaakitanga becomes surveillance

Five Responsibilities of Tikanga-Based AI Leadership