Māori and genomics

Vision Mātauranga

Vision Mātauranga is the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise (MBIE)’s policy. Its purpose is to:

Use the science and innovation system to help unlock the potential of Māori knowledge, people and resources for the benefit of New Zealand
Recognise Māori as important partners in science and innovation; both as inter-generational guardians of significant natural resources and indigenous knowledge, and owners and managers of commercial assets
Build the capability of Māori individuals, businesses, incorporations, rūnanga, trusts, iwi, hapū, and marae to engage with science and innovation
Maximise the quality of the relationship between Māori and the Crown through science and innovation through the Treaty of Waitangi. (MBIE Vision Mātauranga policy)

Vision Mātauranga is at the centre of Genomics Aotearoa activities. Guided by our Vision Mātauranga Manager, Genomics Aotearoa enables Māori leadership, is establishing research guidelines, and is developing standards of engagement for researchers.

A relationship of good faith and trust is essential. Our Vision Mātauranga Manager is working with researchers and with Māori at multiple levels in the community to improve confidence, capacity and capability for engagement. Our work draws on several research guidelines.

Guidelines for genomics research with Māori

Te Nohonga Kaitiaki: Guidelines for Genomic Research with Taonga Species
Te Mata Ira: Guidelines for genomic research with Māori
He Tangata Kei Tua: Guidelines for biobanking with Māori
Te Ara Tika: Guidelines for Māori Research Ethics

Data management procedures

Data management is an important part of Vision Mātauranga. Genomics Aotearoa is developing procedures to support good research practices and streamline access to data within the GA Data Repository, again building on the research guidelines Te Ara Tika, Te Mata Ira and He Tangata Kei Tua.

The Genomics Aotearoa Data Repository aims to provide a managed data storage facility that supports Māori interests in genomics research. Data storage and access will be managed within a Māori values context that recognises the importance of Māori data sovereignty. This differs from the standard ‘public repository’ or ‘open access’ philosophy. Researchers' and research development access will remain in place within a managed access approach The hallmarks of this approach include a process of kaitiaki approval for data sharing and access, tailored data curation and improved connectivity with tangata whenua.

Indigenous Genomics Platform

Genomics Aotearoa is committed to ensuring research activities are inclusive and responsive to Māori needs and are beneficial to Māori communities. Research projects in the health, environment and primary production areas have already resulted in significant collaboration between iwi and genomics researchers.

To strengthen these collaborative relationships Genomics Aotearoa has developed the Indigenous Genomics Platform (IGP). This platform will deliver a consolidated approach to ongoing and future work with Māori communities and incorporates a targeted method of supporting research projects that demonstrate partnership and return clear benefit to Māori. Specifically, the platform aims to:

Create an enduring foundation for Māori engagement with genomics that recognises and respects Te Ao Māori values and beliefs.
Deliver a ground-up approach providing Māori with a level of trust and understanding that encourages engagement with genomics and genomics researchers.
Build and promote reciprocal relationships between researchers and participant communities whereby Māori community needs are prioritised.
Demonstrate GA intent and commitment to fulfill the stated principles, philosophy and approaches of the Consortium Agreement with regards to benefits to Māori.
Extend the IGP approach across all GA activities, irrespective of Māori involvement; this would provide a unique indigenous foundation which encourages respectful and reciprocal engagement with all users of genomics research and infrastructure.

Research projects

Kauri dieback detection – developing real time, point-of-need surveillance .
Detection of species and hybrids in Ngā Roimata ō Tōhe, Pimelea eremitica
Molecular characterisation of Māori traditional root crops in Aotearoa as an insurance policy for food security; He wae kai pakiaka (a grounded solution)
Ko wai ngā rākau rangatira pōhutukawa o Mauao? Building agile and informed kaitiaki biosecurity on the maunga
Phylogenetic and Transcriptomic Analysis of Kawakawa for Rongoā and Kaitiakitanga
Genomic resources for selective breeding of kingfish/haku
Realising the potential of genomics for swamp maire replanting in the Rangitāne rohe
Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou: Sharing the benefits of genomics
Ruatau: connecting Maori genomic scientists and communities
Te Nohonga Kaitiaki: Now complete, this project has developed guidelines for genomic research with Taonga species that explicitly incorporate Vision Mātauranga and support greater benefit sharing.

SING Aotearoa

We support the Summer Internship for Indigenous Genomics (SING) Aotearoa. This programme is modelled on an existing SING programme running in the USA; the partnership with SING-USA providing mutual opportunities for both.

Sing Aotearoa participants are selected each year on both their interest in the technologies, as well as an intent to utilise the technologies for the benefit of their communities. The week-long residential programme, which started in 2016, has been very successful in upskilling both University-level tauira as well as community-based pakeke in genomic technologies. SINGAotearoa alumni better understand the opportunities and the challenges associated with genomic research, as well as key technical, and tikanga-related issues of such technologies and how these can impact and be used by Māori.