Now here’s a positive news story. Apple has introduced a significant update to its Maps service, recognising the Indigenous lands of Australia and New Zealand after four years of collaboration with First Nations peoples.
This update, which affects Maps as well as other apps like Weather and Find My, displays over 250 dual place names for cities and towns across both countries.
Additionally, the service now highlights land borders for Indigenous protected areas and reserves and acknowledges the traditional owners of regions, though without outlining specific land boundaries.
These changes, which are mandatory and cannot be toggled on or off, also extend to third-party applications, such as Qantas, where users can search and view dual place names.
Indigenous groups can further contribute to the initiative by submitting images of their communities, helping to create place cards that raise awareness.
This overhaul was shaped by extensive consultation with local language holders, regional and urban language centers, and Aboriginal Land Trusts.
Apple also cross-checked the data with information from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), ensuring the accuracy and cultural sensitivity of the update.
The result is a landmark step toward honouring the heritage and presence of Indigenous peoples in the digital space.
The update brings Australia in line with Canada and the United States, where Apple recognised Indigenous nations on its mapping software in 2023.