The whakatauki quoted above can act as a metaphor for a past relationship between Māori and genetic research. This began with controversy leading to distrust of the science and of scientists. Recalling the mistakes made in the past is intended to help a new generation avoid their repetition. Hence the second proverb: titiro nga muri hei arahi nga mua- look to the past to guide the future.
The availability of eDNA technology and its uptake by Māori heralds a new way forward in that relationship – by acting as a ‘new net’ with which to go ‘fishing’.
One example of this uptake is a community based restoration project called Te Taiea te Taiao involving 10 community groups, both Māori and non-Māori, which will be briefly discussed. In closing, some suggestions will be made as to how the EPA /Wai Tuwhera might “enable the programme to make its next strategic shift” and add more value to each in order to ensure their sustainability into the future.
Dr Mere Roberts is a New Zealander of Maori (Tainui: Ngāti Apakura, Ngāti Hikairo) and Pakeha descent. She has a Ph.D in zoology
and a post graduate certificate in medical parasitology.
Mere has been a staff member of the University of Auckland’s Medical School, School of Environmental & Marine Sciences and School of Biological Sciences. In 2004 she was appointed Head of Science at Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi in Whakatane before returning to the University of Auckland as an Honorary Research Fellow in Anthropology. Her research interests are in indigenous knowledge systems with a focus on matauranga pūtaiao (Māori scientific knowledge) and its interface with mainstream science. Recently she has been contracted to the School of Biological Sciences to assist with the introduction of the new Stage II paper in Māori science (Pūtaiao).
Mere has served on Ministry for Economic Development working group on Bioprospecting; the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Biosecurity and the UNESCO (NZ) science subcommittee. A former member of the Māori advisory committee to the Environmental Risk Management Authority, she has conducted research into Māori perceptions of the effects of novel biotechnologies (e.g. GMO’s specifically transgenics) on their cultural values, beliefs and personal health.