Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly being introduced into practice within health systems globally. While great work has been done to develop and adapt ethical principles for AI in healthcare, there are few practical exemplars of implementing good governance of the Introduction of AI into practice. We will describe the AI Governance that has been put in place in Aotearoa New Zealand to guide the public health system on decisions and agreements around the development and use of AI tools. Methods: Background research on existing international guidance (e.g. WHO 'Guidance on Ethics and Governance of AI for Health') and best practice (e.g. UK NHSX 'Artificial Intelligence: How to get it right.'), was conducted alongside technical AI advice. Surveys were conducted to determine patients' perspectives on the use of their health information for the development of AI. New Zealand specific requirements such as the National Ethical Standards, Algorithm Charter for Aotearoa NZ and the Māori Data Sovereignty charter and principles, were integrated. A Governance Group was established with diverse membership including consumers to develop a governance framework that considered all perspectives. Results: A framework and checklist were developed that included nine areas for consideration: appropriateness of AI in this context, ethics, equity, technical, data, legal/contractual, and clinical, consumer and Māori perspectives. This checklist has been used to review proposals at all stages of the AI lifecycle for more than one year. It is now being used by a National Expert Advisory Group. Conclusions: International guidance can provide the basis for local adaptation of principles that can be applied to the governance of the development and use of AI within national public health systems. The opportunity for AI is large but the potential to do harm is real, and therefore the implementation of AI tools in healthcare should be carefully considered.