Introduction

The Bioethics Council was established in December 2002 following a recommendation by the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification. Toi te Taiao has two key objectives:

• Objective One is to enhance New Zealand's understanding of the cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of biotechnology.
• Objective Two is to ensure that the use of biotechnology has regard for the values of New Zealanders.

In early 2004, the Council contracted Kawau Limited to organise and facilitate hui throughout New Zealand to canvas the views and opinions of Māori on biotechnology, particularly on the transfer of human genes into other organisms. Nationally, more than 220 people attended the hui. While attendance at some of the initial hui was low, there was a very strong attendance at hui facilitated through Kohanga and Kura whanau and through the staff and Students at Te Wananga o Raukawa.

It is clear that there are a diverse range of views within the Māori community on the use and development of GM technology. A key theme throughout the discussions was how decisions are made on the use and implementation of this technology and who benefits from it.

There is a strong message from all of the hui to the members of the Bioethics Council, to Government and to all who exercise the power to make decisions in the field. Not only do Māori want to remain informed as GM technology develops and decisions are made regarding its use in New Zealand; Māori communities also insist that policies and decisions on human gene transfer reflect what Māori have said through this dialogue and in discussions to come.

This report has been written in a format that best reflects the views and opinions of the hui participants. A discussion of the key themes and recommendations is followed by a summary of each of the respective hui and notes from the dialogue that took place. These notes have been circulated to participants at each of the hui to ensure they accurately reflect the discussion. Finally, the key themes are summarised at the end of the document.

I would like to thank all who participated in the dialogues, who have taken time from busy lives and personal commitments to share and discuss their views with others. I would also like to thank the regional facilitators, Susan Huria who was responsible for publicity and media and the members of the Māori working party of the Bioethics Council, specifically Dr Cheryl Smith and Michelle Roderick from the secretariat who managed to make the impossible happen within a tight timeframe.

Keith Ikin
Director
Kawau Limited

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