Māori Responses To Biotechnologies

Māori Version

Purpose And Activity

This working group is participating in a wide range of discussions with Māori actively engaged in the biotechnology field, including academics, lawyers, researchers, ethicists and scientists. These discussions will assist in helping the group to frame what kinds of issues related to biotechnology for Māori are important.

A significant role for the working party is to meet with as wide a range of Māori as possible to seek their views on how biotechnology poses problems for tikanga Māori (Māori culture) and to what extent it can be incorporated within tikanga.

The working group is also focusing on:

• Establishing to what extent Māori policy makers are engaging in the policy process with biotechnology.
• Ensuring that as many Māori as possible are given the opportunity to be informed about existing and future technologies that may and will impact on Māori.
• Drawing together recorded conversations, written accounts, policy documents, oral histories, academic writing, and any other records of what has already been said by Māori in relation to biotechnology.

Working Group

Members of the working group are:

• Waiora Port
• Chris Cunningham