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

DETAILS OF PROPOSAL STAGE

Maori Intermediaries

One of the key components of the Aroturuki Model is the inclusion of a Māori Intermediary (MI) to play the role of relationship broker, information provider, and dialogue facilitator.

Granted that there is now considerable institutional and science experience in the RS&T sector today and the question why you need an MI arises. The immediate response is that it is up to you. However, this toolkit has been compiled by teams of advisors schooled and skilled in science/ Māori community dynamics and who have concluded:

• Some science organisations and individuals remain inexperienced with dealing with Māori who need support and guidance;
• The Aroturuki process focuses on controversial technologies which is a specialised and distinctive process needed new approaches to achieve improved results;
• There are few Māori and scientists with the requisite knowledge and experience with brokering relationships when dealing with controversial technologies;
• Rapid advances in controversial technologies (particularly genetic technologies) continues and the need to learn from past experiences and develop institutional good practice and knowledge is real and immediate;
• Scientists with little experience in this area would do best to recognise and address the issues that they do not have the skills to establish robust relationships and achieve good outcomes with diverse Māori stakeholders;
• An opportunity exists to develop a pool of experts skilled in creating collaborative relationships around controversial technologies with Māori.

The MI concept responds to the need for scientists contemplating controversial technologies to learn from past experience by adopting innovative strategies to save time, money and reputation and to embed sustainable mutually beneficial relationships with Māori.

The role of the MI

When contemplating engaging Māori about controversial technologies, the first step a skilled and experienced MI would undertake is to ask what sort of relationship thre is between the scientist and the relevant Māori stakeholder. If you have to ask who are the relevant Māori stakeholders than chances are high that your relationship will not be robust.

If relationships are not well established with Māori, as if often the case around controversial technologies, then a MI would be tasked with providing advice and facilitating the dialogue process.

It may be necessary for the dialogue partners to collectively choose the MI. This means that different people could be used for different proposals. There may be a need for a team approach (particularly if the issues have a national impact).

There may be the option of utilising existing Māori staff within the research institution, however the benefits of have an independent voice should be considered. The ideal is for the MI to be one step removed from your organisation (although this is not essential) as this would provide an independent voice to mediate, build trust, and take the time to work with both Māori and the relevant science team in your organisation.

The MI would compliment existing capability contained within the research organisation and bring a fresh approach, innovative strategies and utilise his or her existing networks and reputation to achieve good outcomes.

It should be noted that a good outcome is not necessarily just convincing the relevant Māori stakeholder to approve or support the research. A good outcome could also be stakeholders feeling they are being heard, understood and all avenues for compromise explored.

As the title denotes the MI is someone who has specialist knowledge, skills and experience to effectively facilitate the development of robust relationships with Māori regarding controversial technologies. The MI will not only act as a relationship broker but will also become an advocate for the science institute, building trust, breaking down barriers and creating opportunities.

The experienced MI will know who the people to talk to, when the best time to go see them and what information is needed and how to communicate this information clearly and effectively.

In some cases an MI, if they have the requisite skills and knowledge, will be able to identify potential long term research or business opportunities that might be developed with particular stakeholder. Such arrangements will take time and experience to establish and this is where the investment you make in hiring on an MI will pay off.

Over time it is envisaged that a small team of expert MI’s will emerge to be utilised as key personnel both internal and external to science institutions. These experts will build on their existing knowledge and expertise to provide research institutions with best practice moles to be utilised by, and to strengthen, the science sector.

Eventually the MI role will be needed less, once scientists and research institutions and Māori themselves have sufficient trust, knowledge and experience, and capacity to work through the issues. Therefore, it will be important for the MI to ensure that relationships with Māori are robust and not dependent on the MI being present i.e. eventually the relationship with the relevant iwi should remain strong even through the MI may no longer be present.

If there is continuity of involvement of an MI with an institution, experiential expertise will be developed over time and a solid foundation of knowledge and learnings will maximise future benefits for that institution.

Attributes of an MI

The MI will need to have particular skills expertise and experience to be effective Knowledge of science processes, ERMA processes, consultations processes, tikanga Māori and the broader issues associated with controversial technologies.

The successful MI must have:

• Strong knowledge of Māori language, culture and values;
• Experience within the RS&T sector including knowledge of research funding and regulatory processes;
• Knowledge and experience with dealing with controversial technologies (eg GMOs);
• Strong facilitation and communication skills.

Ideally, the MI would also have some or all of the following:

• Post graduate research experience;
• Knowledge, experience and skills in academic writing, research and analysis;
• Sound knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi;
• Strong networks in the Science and Māori communities;
• A high level of computer literacy;
• Experience working within research provider institutions

More details of what the MI is expected to do during the Te Arotūruki process, can be found here [144 Kb PDF].

More details of a Job Description can be found here [154 Kb PDF].

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