The Māori Biosecurity Network

The establishment of a National Māori Biosecurity Network centered around the management of pre and post border biosecurity threats (pests, pathogens and weeds) is timely with the launch of the ‘National Science Challenges’ and in particular the Biological Heritage National Science Challenge (BHNSC). This network is designed to bring together Māori involved in protecting our biological resources from biosecurity risks and threats. We intend this network to be able to build capacity and connect Māori organisations to the appropriate researchers and in particular to allow Māori researchers to have a culturally safe space to hold a biosecurity dialogue on items important to Māori. Recently developed research strategies and projects outlined in the “Great New Zealand Science Challenges”, the Bio-Protection Research Centre (BPRC), other research providers (including Universities and Crown Research Institutes) and groups such as Better Border Biosecurity (B3) have acknowledged that there is a deficit of much-needed research in this space. Moreover, what is greatly needed is co-ordination among the groups to fully realise the environmental and economic impact of the research. With the increasing numbers of biosecurity incursions, and in particular those threatening our tāonga species (i.e. Kauri, Totora, Kawakawa and Pohutukawa) the need has never been greater especially when global climate change and increased global movement of people and goods is considered. We have held our first tranche of regional hui based on international entry points considered biosecurity hotspots (Whangarei, Auckland, Tauranga, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch). Surveying hapū and Iwi attitudes towards the current national biosecurity model has already been initiated nationally. Seven initial workshops (Whangarei, Auckland, Tauranga, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch) have been held by the PI and associated researchers included in this project. Attendees were asked a series of key questions 1. What does or could ‘biosecurity’ mean for Māori? 2. What are the biosecurity needs of Māori? What could the function(s) of a Māori Biosecurity Network be? 3. How can a Māori Biosecurity Network provide a voice on biosecurity governance, management and operational requirements? 4. What could/would be the link between Māori Biosecurity Network and mana whenua? 5. What are the benefits and risk of a Māori Biosecurity Network? One of the major findings from these hui was that Māori perceived that there was virtually no mātauranga in biosecurity sciences. These workshops initiated a discourse and challenge to redefine ‘biosecurity’ and what it means for Māori. These initial findings have provided valuable insights to develop a series of specific questions for targeted interviews that can be modified and extended to other indigenous communities at risk of losing their cultural identity through lost socio-ecological links. A second tranche of hui will revisit the smaller centres and regions to discuss outcomes of the first hui and to ensure capture of the total biosecurity picture. These hui will lead to the formation of a Maori biosecurity rōpū with a clear set of priorities, terms of reference and mandate for participants representing a Trust, iwi or organisation. In the second year we will hold an Implementation National Biosecurity Wānanga to discuss case studies for each local rohe and prioritise research topic