“AI is increasingly shaping decisions that affect people’s lives… My goal is to ensure those systems are fair, transparent and inclusive, especially for communities that are historically underrepresented.”
It’s a line that sits at the heart of Manochitra Loganathan’s work and her journey.
An Indian-origin researcher, Loganathan is drawing national attention in New Zealand’s fast-moving tech space after graduating with a Master of Applied Technologies from Unitec Institute of Technology on April 1, 2026. Now a data analyst at Land Information New Zealand, she is working on something both technical and deeply human: reducing bias in artificial intelligence systems.
Her research, developed during her postgraduate study, proposes a practical framework to identify and mitigate bias in AI decision-making, an issue gaining urgency as such systems increasingly influence public services, education, and industry.
In New Zealand, her focus has been clear: improving outcomes for Māori and other historically disadvantaged communities.
“Building fair AI in Aotearoa means respecting the people, cultures, and communities whose lives are represented in the data,” she says.
Loganathan’s story begins in Othikkadu, a rural village in Tamil Nadu, where access to higher education was limited. She became the first in her family to pursue engineering, eventually building a 12-year career in global technology companies before moving to New Zealand in 2024.
“My decision to come to New Zealand was strongly influenced by my husband, who previously studied here,” she says. “He often spoke about the welcoming culture, the high quality of education, and the opportunities the country offers. When I started considering my Master’s degree, New Zealand felt like the right place—not only for academic growth but also for building a meaningful future for our family.”
“When I began this journey, my child was only three years old,” Loganathan says.
“Returning to a traditional full-time study environment wasn’t realistic. What drew me to Unitec was the flexibility. It allowed me to continue learning while balancing my family and studies.”
That flexibility, she adds, is not a luxury but a necessity. “For someone managing work, family, and study, Unitec truly makes education accessible.”
Her experience is likely to resonate with mature students and working parents, those often left navigating systems not designed with them in mind.
“My research examined how AI systems can unintentionally produce biased outcomes and explored fairness-aware approaches to identify and reduce those risks,” she explains.
“Because these datasets represent real people, there is a responsibility to ensure the outcomes are equitable.”
Working with real-world datasets from Statistics New Zealand—including census, housing, ACC and IRD data—her work was conducted within secure environments under strict privacy protocols.
It’s here that her philosophy becomes sharply defined.
“Data is not just numbers,” she says. “Behind every dataset are real people, real stories, and real lives.”
“I believe that technology becomes truly powerful when it is built with both intelligence and empathy.”
The work has already earned recognition, including third place at the Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa national final hosted by the Royal Society Te Apārangi.
Professor Hamid Sharifzadeh from Unitec says her work reflects the kind of research that bridges technical depth and societal impact. “Her achievement demonstrates how Unitec's postgraduate research addresses real-world challenges with societal impact and shows the potential of our students’ work to resonate on the global stage,” he says.
“Sometimes the hardest journeys become the most meaningful achievements,” Loganathan says, reflecting on juggling postgraduate study while raising a young child in a new country.
She credits institutional support, including a Unitec scholarship, and mentorship that helped her navigate not just academic expectations, but also the cultural responsibilities tied to working with community data.
Professor Sharifzadeh, who mentored her, says her ability to connect technical research with meaningful societal outcomes stood out throughout her studies.
Now at Land Information New Zealand, Loganathan is applying her expertise to national data systems shaping land management, environmental planning, and infrastructure.
“What makes this role meaningful is knowing that the systems we build help support national services and contribute to informed decision-making that affects communities and the environment across Aotearoa,” she says.
It’s a continuation of the same thread technology aligned with public good.
“Graduation represents years of perseverance, learning, and personal growth,” Loganathan says. “I represent the journey of many students who worked hard, overcame challenges, and
Chosen as a keynote speaker at Unitec’s graduation ceremony at the Aotea Centre, she stood not just as a graduate, but as a reflection of many layered journeys, migration, motherhood, study, and reinvention.
Her advice to others, especially those from migrant and non-traditional backgrounds, is simple and grounded,
“Stay curious and authentic in your journey… Be clear about the impact you want to create… and embrace the challenges along the way, as they often become the experiences that shape your growth.”