Māori researchers’ hui

With all but one of our research projects underway, the time was right to bring our cohort of Māori researchers together to share research findings and discuss important issues such as IP and mātauranga Māori.

The researchers met with the Tangaroa and Vision Mātauranga programme leaders, Director Julie Hall, and two members of the Kāhui, at Wakatū marae in Nelson on 15 June.

The aims were to:

• Provide the researchers with an opportunity to build relationships with iwi in Te Tau Ihu o te Waka-a-Māui/Top of the South Island
• Reach a collective understanding of how Tangaroa and Vision Mātauranga are being implemented
• Build links between projects and share research findings
• Discuss intellectual property and how it may apply to mātauranga Māori generated by the Challenge
• Give feedback on their experience so far and raise any concerns

“It was an extremely productive day,” said James Whetu, leader of Vision Mātauranga. “Findings from one project are often relevant to others, so it was beneficial for researchers to have the chance to discuss their research together and talk about common issues.

“The hui as a whole demonstrated strong support from the Challenge leadership to Māori values, and our role in the Challenge and as Treaty Partners for caring for New Zealand’s marine spaces.”

Next steps

The group will have a virtual meeting every two months.

“Although it was great to have people here in person, it is difficult for everyone to attend due to other commitments. Half of our Māori researchers made the effort to physically attend this time, which was fantastic, but it’s more practical to use vidcons in the future so more can take part,” said James.