In a mission to focus on digital inclusion, Lenovo has worked in collaboration with AMD to launch a keyboard featuring an Aotearoa New Zealand bilingual keyboard.

Designed to seamlessly write in the indigenous language, Te Reo Māori, the keyboard aims to enable people to communicate in their preferred language.

The vision for the keyboard first came about when Lenovo New Zealand Country Manager, Libby Macgregor’s eight-year-old son Felix was beginning to learn the language and realised that the technology was unable to support Te Reo Māori.

With Te Reo Māori being used in daily life, especially for Kiwis aged 15 to 34, Macgregor felt the need for a product to support the learning and use of the language.

“Digital devices in countries with large English-speaking populations often miss out on products with alternate characters for languages,” says Macgregor.

“This results in a digital divide for consumers who do not have a viable solution to use technology the way they want to, impacting their daily use of preferred languages.”

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With the Māori culture being heavily alive in New Zealand, Lenovo wanted to support important kaupapa such as Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori (The Māori Language Commission), Te Puni Kōkiri (Ministry of Māori Development), Whakaata Māori TV and Radio Waatea and their mission. 

“Lenovo wants to contribute by enabling Aotearoa’s rangatahi and professional workforce to utilise Te Reo Māori with ease in their everyday lives, through the launch of this keyboard,” adds Macgregor.

Peter Chambers, Managing Director of Sales at AMD for Asia Pacific and Japan, says that the launch of the keyboard signifies a “step further” in changing the digital landscape of equity and inclusion.

“Language is fundamental when it comes to culture, preserving it allows us to pass on history and traditions for generations to come,” he says.

Ada Lopez from Lenovo’s Product Diversity Office says that through the launch there will be positive change to bring people together.

The keyboard has launched through select ThinkPad and Education laptop devices and available through Lenovo’s commercial channels.