A Wai 262 Best Practice Guide for Science partnerships with Kaitiaki for Research Involving Taonga

This guide is to help scientists and researchers ensure they are informed and understand the complexities of the Wai 262 claim. This resource can help researchers develop respectful relationships with kaitiaki, where kaitiaki leadership of taonga aspects of science projects is upheld; move aside from leadership roles to ensure co-leadership across all aspects of science projects that do not involve taonga; co-design projects with kaitiaki; develop reciprocal and benefit-sharing relationships with kaitiaki that build capacity and capability; and develop a deep cultural understanding of how to be a ‘good guest and a good host’ and the porous boundaries between these standpoints.

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 process, the protection of Māori knowledge systems, the protection of native flora and fauna, and cultural intellectual property rights. The claim has been with us for 31 years and for many researchers and scientists, Māori and tangata tiriti too, the lack of practical guidance about what responsive and respectful research practice and science policy looks like remains elusive.