The Māori Health Service | Te Puna Oranga of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waikato is responsible for providing Māori consultation for researchers.

The research committee considers the following issues to be important when undertaking research involving or regarding Māori:

  • the values and tikanga inherent in whānau, hapū and iwi
  • the need for a process that is culturally safe and supportive
  • the need to protect whakapapa
  • the need to protect individual and informed choice.

It is important that te Tiriti o Waitangi | the Treaty of Waitangi principles be encompassed within the guidelines.

The committee emphasises the importance of:

  • the protection of whakapapa Māori, confidentiality and privacy
  • respect for tikanga Māori and kaumātua counselling, and whānau assistance at the initial interview
  • te Tiriti o Waitangi | the Treaty of Waitangi principles — partnership, participation, protection and wairua
  • the interpretation and application of the Treaty principles to ethical review may be needed.

Refer to the document below regarding Māori consultation application and human tissue collection and storage documentation.

Contact

Sarah Brodnax

Phone: 07 839 8899 (extension 23589)
Email: research@waikatodhb.health.nz

Notes

Māori consultation and local authorisation will work concurrently. You will first need to register your research with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waikato.

To be considered, provide completed copies of:

  • your ethics application (HDEC or institutional application)
  • participant consent and participant information sheet(s), where applicable
  • laboratory confirmation about the storage of tissue or blood samples that will be sent overseas, where applicable
  • Te Ara Tika guidelines for Maori research ethics.

If a secondary aim of a study involves bio-banking, then separate consent for this must be gained. It is preferable to have that discussion and seek consent for bio-banking at a separate time — at the end of the primary study if possible. This is so participants are less likely to feel coerced.

Applications received after the closing dates will not be accepted for following meeting dates scheduled.

About Māori consultation at Waikato Hospital

The Te Puna Oranga Māori consultation research review committee is appointed by the Kaumātua Kaunihera, Te Puna Oranga | Māori Health Service, under the guidelines of human ethics in health research.

The functions of the committee are to receive and review research proposals, referred to it for consideration.

The committee may offer appropriate advice to the researcher(s) involved as well as making written recommendations to the researcher(s).

The committee will provide notification for organisational approval as required.

A member of the committee (manager) will be nominated to communicate directly with the researcher should any clarification be required.

The committee considers the following issues to be important:

  • the values and tikanga inherent in whānau, hapū and iwi
  • the need for a process that is culturally safe and supportive
  • the need to protect whakapapa
  • the need to protect individual and informed choice.

It is important that te Tiriti o Waitangi | the Treaty of Waitangi principles be encompassed within the guidelines.

The committee emphasises the importance of the following:

  • the protection of whakapapa Māori, confidentiality and privacy
  • respect for tikanga Māori and kaumatua counselling, whānau assistance at the initial interview
  • te Tirito o Waitangi | the Treaty of Waitangi principles: partnership, participation, protection and wairua
  • the interpretation and application of the Treaty principles to ethical review may be needed
  • using the Health Research Council’s guidelines on health research involving Māori to
    assist researchers undertaking biomedical, public health or clinical research involving
    Māori participants or research on issues relevant to Māori health
  • using Te Ara Tika to guide your thinking about Māori responsiveness while developing your proposal — this framework was developed by Pūtaiora (Māori members of ethics committees) and the National Ethics Advisory Committee (NEAC)
  • all information provided by Māori is safeguarded and protected within the health system or as directed by whānau
  • members of the committee treat information submitted in the proposals in confidence and any conflicts of interest is declared and may be required by the researcher(s) or the committee to remove themselves from the matter at hand
  • all Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora | Waikato research studies (excluding clinical audits) must undertake a consultation process with the Te Puna Oranga | Māori Health Service Māori research review committee.

Contact Millie Berryman for information or assistance, at:

Address

Te Puna Oranga | Māori Health Service
Hockin Building, Level 1
Waikato Hospital
Hague Road
Hamilton 3204

Postal address

Te Puna Oranga Māori consultation research review committee,
Te Puna Oranga | Māori Health Service
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waikato
PO Box 934
Hamilton 3240