Wai 262 and opportunities for National Science Challenges

Te Pae Kahurangi, the government’s 2020 CRI review, has signalled changes ahead. While the future of National Science Challenges is unclear, there is still much that can be achieved in the next 3 years. The ability of our National Science Challenges to push at the edges of critical societal issues creates a unique environment for practical and innovative responses to issues associated with Wai 262.

This session will discuss challenges and opportunities in Aotearoa’s science system, highlight examples of responsible practice within National Science Challenges, and look at where we can prioritise action to advance this kaupapa over the next 3 years.

Facilitator: Josh Te Kani, Resilience to Nature’s Challenges

Panel:

• Meika Foster (from 00:14:16)
• Melanie Mark-Shadbolt (from 00:54:34)
• Pauline Harris (from 01:26:07)
• Questions and korero from 02:00:41

Resources mentioned:

• Rauika Māngai ‘Guide to Vision Mātauranga‘ report
• Rauika Māngai ‘Te Pūtahitanga: A Tiriti-led Science-Policy Approach for Aotearoa New Zealand‘
• Webinar 1: History and Impacts of Wai 262
• Communique from the Nga Taonga Tuku Iho Conference: Maori Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights, Our Past, Our Future, Our Legacy, 2019
• CBD-ABS Clearing House, includes free one-hour course on access and benefit-sharing (ABS). This is not just applicable to commercialisation. We recommend all researchers do this course
• ‘He aronga takirua: Cultural double-shift of Māori scientists‘. You can also read about the paper linked above in media coverage, here is one example.
• WIPO IP reports, for a 101 on IP (international)
• Te Kotahi Research Institute: Understanding Māori Rights and Interests in Intellectual Property arising from Research and Innovation
• SfTI IP Management Plan and SfTI IP Policy

Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho: Wai 262 and the National Science Challenges

Wai 262 is one of the most significant and far-reaching claims considered by the Waitangi Tribunal, and current work to resolve the issues it raised will affect everyone participating in science and research in Aotearoa. This pan-tribal claim covered key issues of misappropriation of mātauranga Māori through research processes, the protection of Māori knowledge systems, the protection of native flora and fauna, and cultural intellectual property rights.

2021 marks the 30-year anniversary of the Wai 262 treaty claim submission, and 10 years since the tribunal report, Ko Aotearoa Tēnei, was issued. Many pioneers of this kaupapa are no longer with us, and we acknowledge the sacrifices they made in setting a strong foundation on which we can build. Descendants and representatives of the original claim, through Te Taumata Whakapūmau, continue to lead Māori engagement with the Crown on this kaupapa.

30 years on, how far have we come? Within our national science system there is significant variation in CRI and University policy (from which many of our National Science Challenges operate) and often limited understanding of issues such as:

• Effective safeguarding and protection of te reo and mātauranga Māori
• The role of national and international instruments affecting indigenous rights and indigenous organisms
• Data ownership, access, and control

The final stage of our National Science Challenges offers us all a unique opportunity to address these intergenerational issues, and advance the thinking, policy, capability and behaviours within Aotearoa’s science system.

Also in this series: Webinar 1: History and Impacts of Wai 262