Understanding Māori social structures and hierarchy

Māori Cultural Concepts / Practices

Case studies

Indicative Costs

Glossary of common Māori words

How - A Step-by-Step Guide to the Te Arotūriki Process - CONTINUED

DETAILS OF CONSULTATION PHASE

Case Studies

We understand that trying to understand all of the various aspects of the Te Arotūruki Process can be a little overwhelming. For this reason we have prepared some case studies – real examples of science research proposals and how those scientists have used all or parts of the Te Arotūruki Process to consult with Maori for the betterment of all parties.

Case Study 1 - Field Trial of GM Trees
To illustrate an application of the Te Aroturuki enagagement process, we draw on current and prior experience to describe Forest Research Institute’s (now Scion's) applications to plant a field trial of GM Radiata pine and Norway spruce trees within the rohe (area) of three Rotorua hapū. The early applications were approved by ERMA New Zealand in December 2000 and there is a second application which will be lodged in 2009. These approvals were important in that they were the first to involve GM trees which has particular significance for iwi/Māori as key stakeholders in commercial forestry.

This case study illustrates that consultation with Māori was seen as an essential part of the process for FRI (now Scion) and that they made a commitment to engage with the local tangata whenua. This was evident from the following consultation efforts that were made, and which continue to occur today:

Stage One: Assessment of need for consultation with Māori and exchange of toolkits

The lead research scientist first determined that some form of engagement was necessary because of the controversial nature of GM, and also from a meeting with representatives from ERMA NZ.

• Relevant tangata whenua were involved in the field trial right from the beginning (back in 1995) resulting in a letter (in 1997) from Te Arawa and Mataatua Forestry Accord indicating their consent to the intended field trial.
• In September 1998, FRI established the FRI/Māori Consultative Group made up of six representatives from the local iwi. This group held various hui to discuss the proposed field tests.

Although the Māori intermediary role was not formalised, scientists utilised Scion Māori staff (eg. Scientist, the Māori Business Development Manager etc) to help develop a communication strategy. This included a written document describing the proposed trial in non-technical terms as well as a discussion of some of the generic and trigger questions likely to be most important to the hapu.

Examples included describing the source of genes, likely impacts on whakapapa, and steps to mitigate impacts. Several Te Arotūruki members also provided assistance by providing background reference material for scientists (including relevant literature on Māori perspectives of science and concerns about genetic modification), and formulating both generic and trigger questions. Māori employees of the research organisation also provided background for Mana Whenua (MW) representatives regarding the organisation itself. This was the functional equivalent of toolkit exchange.

Stage Two: Proposal dialogue

The dialogue phase included:

• Consultation with Te Arawa Māori Trust Board prior to the lodging of the application in June 1999.
• Two hui were held by Scion (in September and October 2000) at local marae to present their field trial proposals to the local tangata whenua and to discuss concerns surrounding genetic engineering. Hapū consent was given to the planting of the trial at these hui.
• In December 2002, Scion set up Te Arotūruki (a national Māori consultative group) to:
  • enhance relationships with Māori
  • develop better research outcomes
  • ensure that areas of concern to Māori on plant gene technologies were recognised, discussed and addressed
  • provide direct access back to local iwi.

These hui usually involved mihi (exhange of greetings) and karakia (opening prayers). Then the field trial was described in general terms, followed by discussion using and open question-and-answer format. Specific concerns were raised by each party and addressed. Reasons for support of a previous field trial by MW were also discussed. At the end of each meeting, minutes were prepared and circulated to all participants to ensure all issues were recorded appropriately. Two hui were necessary to cover all concerns, and to negotiate modifications to the original proposal.

Stage Three: Response to proposal dialogue

MW representatives gave a conditional ‘yes’ to the proposal subject to:

1. allowance for tohunga to recite karakia at the site itself to ‘bless’ the siteprior to planting trees;
2. more immediate benefits arising from the field trial including employment of hapu members for aspects of the field trial, in research programmes;
3. the research provider consider and propose ways to acknowledge support of MW by supporting hapu development initiatives such as assisting with hapu vocational development programmes, and
4. incorporating formal monitoring of the trial including access to results, and meetings between science staff and a mandated hapu representative. MW representatives also agreed to assist with writing sections pertaining to Māori in the ERMA NZ application, by stating their specific concerns as well as expected benefits, and their position regarding the proposal. The two parties also agreed to document the conditions and agreed responses in a Memorandum of Understanding.

Stage Four: Monitoring and Evaluation

This stage (for the previous field trial and expected to be similar for the current field trial) included:

1. ongoing monitoring of the field trial by a mandated W representative in quarterly meetings with the lead scientist to review the most recent scientific results on environmental impacts research undertaken by collaborators.
2. production and circulation of booklet written by and for Māori communicating the intent and early results from the field trial, accompanied by hui to present the booklet and discuss the field trial with the wider hapu. In the previous field trial the booklet outlining the process they utilised to engage with local iwi was entitled ‘Te Maramatanga o te Tipuranga’. <<link to PDF>>
3. Scion has established internal capability to help identify and develop business opportunities and to facilitate the representation of Māori views in research programmes
4. at the cessation of the field trial, discussions between senior science managers, rangatira and other mandated hapu representatives identifying outcomes from the field trial for each of the parties as well as other potentially impacted parties such as Māori forestry interests beyond those specific to the hapu.

Case Study 2 - Biological Control of Broom

The Canterbury Broom Group’s application for the conditional release from containment of two insects for the biological control of the weed broom was approved by ERMA New Zealand in July 2006.

This case study highlights the significant efforts made by the applicant, ERMA New Zealand’s Māori National Network and Ngāi Tahu of Te Waipounamu in assessing all potential risks, costs and/or benefits of this application with regards to the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, waahi tapu, valued flora and fauna, and other taonga.
The series of events that contributed to the overall success of the consultation carried out for this application included:

• The applicant establishing early contact (in early 2005) with ERMA New Zealand seeking advice and guidance on the most appropriate consultation to undertake with Māori.
• The applicant familiarising itself with the key ERMA New Zealand documents relating to working with Māori under the HSNO Act process and keeping in constant contact with ERMA New Zealand's Māori Unit.
• ERMA New Zealand’s Māori Unit providing advice to the applicant that Level I national consultation was required ie, distributing information about the proposal to ERMA New Zealand’s Māori National Network contacts and requesting feedback.
• The applicant developing and distributing to ERMA New Zealand’s Māori National Network a lay person’s information package on the proposal early on in the process (in September 2005). This information package consisted of FAQ's on biological control as a science and potential tool for pest control and an initial assessment of issues arising from the biological control of potential concern or interest to Māori. Providing this kind of information helped the iwi to make their own assessment of the extent of potential risks, costs and/or benefits.
• Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (TRoNT) developing an independent Ngāi Tahu Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) report1 to help the applicant fully assess the effects of their proposal on Ngāi Tahu. Due to the good relationship already established between the researchers and Ngāi Tahu, the development of this CIA went smoothly. The value of the CIA to the entire success of the applicant's assessment of environmental and cultural issues arising from this proposal was also evident.
• The applicant forwarding to ERMA New Zealand all correspondence on, and responses relating to, the consultation that took place, including all supporting evidence, e-mails, records of phone calls and/or minutes of meetings.
• The applicant submitting the final application with all the results of the pre-application Level I national consultation and the Ngāi Tahu CIA findings incorporated into the overall assessment.

1 There was some cost involved in resourcing Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu to prepare this Cultural Impact Assessment report.