How indigenous researchers are shaking up New Zealand’s biosecurity system via the establishment of a Māori Biosecurity Network

Abstract

Māori (indigenous New Zealanders) wants and needs are often ignored, lost or forgotten in what is a rapidly changing, crowded and confusing biosecurity system in New Zealand. Acknowledging the numerous issues of how to engage with Māori in this space a handful of Māori researchers decided to create a solution and solve the problem of how to engage with and ensure Māori are a vital part of New Zealand’s biosecurity system? The establishment of a National Māori Biosecurity Network centred around the management of pre and post border biosecurity threats (pests, pathogens and weeds) is timely with the launch of New Zealand’s ‘National Science Challenges’ and in particular the Biological Heritage National Science Challenge (BHNSC). This network is designed to bring together Māori involved in protecting our biological resources from biosecurity risks and threats. It is intended that this network will be able to build capacity and connect Māori organisations to the appropriate researchers and in particular to allow Māori researchers to have a culturally safe space to hold a biosecurity dialogue on items important to Māori. Recently developed research strategies and projects outlined in the ‘Great New Zealand Science Challenges’, the Bio-Protection Research Centre (BPRC), other research providers (including Universities and Crown Research Institutes) and groups such as Better Border Biosecurity (B3) have acknowledged that there is a deficit of much needed research in the Māori biosecurity space. Moreover, what is greatly needed is coordination among the groups to fully realise the environmental and economic impact of such research. When the increasing numbers of biosecurity incursions, in particular those threatening our taonga (treasured) species (i.e. Kauri, Totora, Kawakawa and Pohutukawa), global climate change and the increased global movement of people and goods is considered, the need for Māori biosecurity solutions has never been greater. Our team held its first tranche of regional hui based on international entry points considered biosecurity hotspots (Whangarei, Auckland, Tauranga, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch) early in 2016, at which we surveyed hapū and iwi (Māori) attitudes towards the current national biosecurity model. At these hui attendees were asked a series of key questions including 1. What does or could biosecurity mean for Māori? 2. What are the biosecurity needs of Māori? What could the function(s) of a Māori Biosecurity Network be? 3. How can a Māori Biosecurity Network provide a voice on biosecurity governance, management and operational requirements? 4. What could/would be the link between Māori Biosecurity Network and mana whenua? 5. What are the benefits and risks of a Māori Biosecurity Network? One of the major findings at the hui to date has been that Māori perceived that there was virtually no mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) in biosecurity sciences, and that they were fearful that Māori were purposefully being excluded from biosecurity management and decision-making. These workshops initiated a discourse and challenge to redefine ‘biosecurity’ and what it means for Māori. Initial findings have provided valuable insights to develop a series of specific questions for targeted interviews that can be modified and extended to other indigenous communities at risk of losing their cultural identity through lost socio-ecological links. More hui are scheduled for the next couple of months in Christchurch, Invercargill, Gisborne and again in Wellington, at which we will discuss outcomes of the first hui and ensure capture of the total Māori biosecurity picture. Combined all of these hui will lead to the formation of a Māori Biosecurity Rōpū (Network) with a clear set of priorities, terms of reference and mandate for participants representing a Trust, iwi, organisation or community interest. At that stage we will hold an Implementation National Māori Biosecurity Wānanga (workshop) to discuss and prioritise research topics, and case studies for various rohe (regions). The idea to establish a National Māori Biosecurity Network has created much discussion and interest nationally and internationally. The Network team have been invited to, and subsequently have presented the concept and initial findings at numerous events nationally and internationally. Additionally, team members have been utilised by the Ministry of Primary Industries to support their development of the countries Biosecurity 2025 strategy and have presented to the Biosecurity Ministerial Advisory Committee (BMAC). The Network team was recently awarded the inaugural Dave Galloway Innovation Award by the New Zealand Biosecurity Institute (NZBI).