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Who are Te Arotūruki?
History
How was Te Arotūruki formed?
The idea for Te Arotūruki originally arose in 2002 from discussions between Scion scientist Phillip Wilcox and his brother-in-law, Henare Kani. They thought there was a need for a roopu to enable (‘western’) scientists to better communicate their research to Māori. Likewise, Māori communities needed direct access to information about controversial technologies such as genetic modification and an ability to proactively have their realities considered in the formulation of research plans and applications.
Thus in August of 2002 Scion contracted Henare Kani to establish a roopu and develop a terms of reference. Henare immediately engaged with rangatira (Eria Moke and Ben Hona) of the hapū (Ngati Tuteata o Whakaue) from the rohe within which Scions’ main campus is located to obtain a mandate from mana whenua.
Henare negotiated approval from Mana Whenua to establish a pan-Aotearoa roopu of Māori, with representation based on a broad range of capabilities (rather than iwi-specific representation). The composition of Te Arotūruki was deliberately chosen to reflect a range of stakeholder interests within the Māori community. Skill sets included:
- knowledge of tikanga and Mātauranga Māori
- experience in interaction between Māori and scientists and science organisations
- experience with regulatory authorities
- legal knowledge
- commercial agriculture and forestry
- iwi and hapu development
- social science
Because of the mandate from Ngati Tuteata as Mana Whenua, Te Arotūruki membership includes at least one mandated representative from Ngati Tuteata.
The first hui was held in October 2002, where Mana Whenua formally acknowledged and mandated the roopu, and discussions were held with members to determine purpose and role(s). In the few hui it was determined by both scientists and Te Arotūruki members that a process was necessary around controversial technologies, that was proactive and cognisant of Māori world views and realities.
A terms of reference was then drawn up by Henare Kani and Phillip Wilcox formalising the establishment of Te Arotūruki, and signed by all three parties: Scion, Mana Whenua and Te Arotūruki. Final approvals for Te Arotūruki Terms of Reference were negotiated with Scion executive management by Tupara Morrison, (Scion’s Manager for Māori Strategy) and Henare Kani and Phillip Wilcox on behalf of Te Arotūruki, and Penengaru Moke-Delaney on behalf of Ngati Tuteata.
Three-way signing of the Terms of Reference at Hurangaterangi Marae in Ngapuna, Rotorua. Back row from left are: Richard Hunter, Phillip Wilcox, Tupara Morrison, Mere Roberts, the late Ben Hona, and Penengaru Moke-Delaney. Signing the document are Irene Kereama-Royal (on behalf of Te Arotūruki) and (on behalf of Mana Whenua).
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