Dreamware / Services / AI & Intelligent Systems / AI Ethics & Governance
AI Ethics & Governance
Responsible AI frameworks, bias auditing, explainability, compliance. Te Tiriti considerations.
About this service
AI systems make consequential decisions — about people's access to services, opportunities, and information. Building these systems responsibly isn't optional, and in New Zealand, that responsibility includes Te Tiriti o Waitangi considerations and the rights of Māori data sovereignty.
We help organisations build AI responsibly: auditing existing models for bias across demographic groups, building explainability into systems so decisions can be understood and challenged, and establishing governance frameworks that keep humans appropriately in the loop. We work with the current NZ regulatory landscape and international standards including the EU AI Act where relevant.
This isn't compliance theatre. We focus on outcomes that are actually fair and trustworthy — which requires technical work (bias measurement, model cards, monitoring) as well as process work (governance structures, incident response, stakeholder engagement).
How Dreamware approaches this
We approach AI ethics as an engineering problem as much as a policy problem. Bias auditing means actually measuring model performance across demographic groups — not assuming good intentions are sufficient. Explainability means technical choices about model interpretability and output explanation, not just adding a disclaimer.
We engage with Te Tiriti considerations seriously — working with Māori communities where AI systems affect them, applying the CARE principles for Indigenous data, and ensuring governance structures reflect appropriate partnership. For organisations working with health, justice, or benefit data, we understand the heightened obligations that apply.
What you get
- Bias audit report — quantitative analysis of model performance across demographic groups with identified disparities
- Explainability implementation — appropriate tools (SHAP, LIME, or model-native explanations) integrated into your system
- Responsible AI framework — governance policies, review processes, and escalation procedures
- Model card — comprehensive documentation of training data, performance, limitations, and intended use
- Te Tiriti impact assessment — where relevant, a structured assessment of implications for Māori
- Incident response plan — what to do when the AI system causes harm
Investment guide
AI ethics and governance engagements typically run $8,000–$25,000 NZD. Standalone bias audits of existing models start at $8,000. Full responsible AI framework development for organisations with significant AI exposure runs $15,000–$25,000. Ongoing governance support available on retainer. Pricing adjusted for public sector and not-for-profit organisations.
All pricing in NZD excluding GST. Fixed-price engagements where scope allows — we'll confirm pricing after a free scoping conversation.
Ready to get started?
Book a free conversation. We'll tell you honestly what's realistic, what it costs, and how we'd approach it.