A comprehensive framework has been developed to support researchers undertaking genomic research while respecting mātauranga Māori.
The Waitangi Tribunal has strongly recommended the protection of kaitiaki interests in taonga; however there has been little guidance until now to ensure that taonga species are being approached in a manner that upholds Treaty of Waitangi principles, or specific guidance on how this can be done effectively.
The Te Nohonga Kaitiaki Guidelines for Genomic Research on Taonga Species were developed as a tool to assist in the planning and execution of genomic research in a manner that honours taonga, kaitiaki and mātauranga Māori.
Taonga species are any species or biota that are of value to Māori.
This project was funded by Genomics Aotearoa, carried out by a team of researchers headed by Associate Professor Maui Hudson at the University of Waikato, and published by the University’s Te Kotahi Research Institute.
The Guidelines were launched at the Queenstown Molecular Biology conference as part of Queenstown Research Week 2022.
Genomics Aotearoa Director Professor Peter Dearden welcomes the publication, noting this is the first time New Zealand has clear guidelines that provide an overarching framework for research on native species positioned at the intersection of genomics, innovation and Te Ao Māori.
“The guidelines both acknowledges the importance of taonga in the New Zealand research environment and provide a pathway for a more comprehensive partnership process with iwi and hapu,” Professor Dearden said.
“Researchers in all of our Genomics Aotearoa projects across health, environment and primary production will be following this pathway.”
New Zealand researchers can now access this framework online or in published form, and Professor Dearden urges all New Zealand researchers to look at how they can effectively engage with Māori across the three responsiveness levels - project, organisation and systems.
Te Nohonga Kaitiaki, or the place of guardians, recognises both the role of traditional guardians of taonga species and the responsibilities of institutional stewards.
The guidelines highlight the considerations at different levels of a project, and contains several important elements:
- The Engagement Framework was developed to illustrate considerations for effective engagement at different levels of a project, from inception to completion.
- Guiding principles have been set in place to guide the thinking around genomic research.
- The operating principles reflect the nature and relationship whānau, hapū and iwi hold with their respective taonga and provide clarity around how relationships with taonga also have relationships with people and place.
- An important part of conducting genomic research that involves taonga species is the need to engage with the right people in the design phase. An engagement checklist provides questions to inform the development of robust relationships with Māori.
Link here to Te Nohonga Kaitiaki Guidelines for Genomic Research on Taonga Species