Credit: Ayushi Kachhara NIWA 2018

Posted on 17 June 2022

Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho | Wai 262 Best Practice Guide

A year on from the Wai 262 webinar series hosted by the Rauika Māngai, we're eagerly anticipating the launch of A Wai 262 Best Practice Guide for Science Partnerships with Kaitiaki for Research Involving Taonga.

This guide is based on the content from last year's Wai 262 webinar series spanning the history of the claim and a set of best practice guidelines, providing a baseline for how scientists and researchers must work with Māori communities.

Launching the guide on Wednesday 22 June are panel members Aroha Mead (Te Hononga Pūkenga), Sheridan Waitai (Ngāti Kuri Trust Board) and Kaupapa Māori researcher Jessica Hutchings.

Register for the launch

About Wai 262

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.

This last year has seen the passing of many significant Rangatira, especially in the context of the Wai 262 Claim.  The launch provides a time to come together and pay our respects to these giants, and to plot a course forward in their honour.  

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

View the Wai 262 webinars

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