traditional knowledge conference 2008 te tatau pounamu

Are Mātauranga Māori and Emerging Technologies Compatible?Yes. Indeed, they must move forward together as technological advances are occurring and beingembraced rapidly, often with little regard for cultural implications. For example, genetic modification isthe fastest adopted technology in the history of agriculture (McHughen, 2007). Given widespreadconcern among Māori that research be conducted in a way that is tika (culturally correct) (Roberts &Fairweather, 2004), it is heartening to know that researchers are beginning to develop culturallyappropriate protocols for working with sensitive topics and materials in research. For example,researchers have developed tika procedures for working with human brain tissue in studies ofHuntington’s Disease (Cheung, Gibbons, Dragunow & Faull, 2007) and the collection of blood andurine samples for nutritional studies among Māori children (Durie, 2004). In both instances, Māori andnon-Māori researchers worked together to understand their different views and design protocols for theprotection of both (Durie, 2004; Roberts & Fairweather, 2004). This interface, where differingworldviews come together, can be particularly fruitful for developing creative research, innovativeapproaches and new knowledge (Durie, 2004).The hui itself, as well as comments made by participants during the poroporoaki (farewellceremony), reflected the whakataukī (proverb), “mā tā koutou rourou, mā tā mātou rourou, ka ora te iwi”(with your contributions and mine, the people will be well). We hope this hui marks the beginning of acontinued and fruitful effort to develop collaborative research that will harness the benefits of new andemerging technologies for Māori and encourage Māori to weigh the benefits of taking a new net fishing.GlossaryAotearoahapūhuiiwikaitiakitangakanohi ki te kanohikarakiakaupapaketemanamanaakitangamaraemātauranga Māorimauripapakāingaporoporoakirohetikatikanga MāoriwhakapapawhakataukīwhānauNew Zealandkinship group, clanmeetingtribe(s)guardianshipface to faceprayerspurposebasketsauthority, integrity, dignityprotocols, principles of Māori hospitalityMāori communal centreMāori traditional knowledgelife essencehomefarewell ceremonydistrict, areaculturally correctcustomary practicegeneaologyproverbfamilyReferencesBrauerhoch, F., Ewen, C., & Sinemus, K. (2007). Talking biotech with the public. BiotechnologyJournal, 2(9), 1076–1080.Cheung, M., Gibbons, H., Dragunow, M., & Faull, R. (2007). Tikanga in the laboratory: Engaging insafe practice. MAI Review, 1(1), 1–7.Durie, M. (2004). Understanding health and illness: Research at the interface between science andindigenous knowledge. International Journal of Epidemiology, 33(5), 1138–1143.McHughen, A. (2007). Public perceptions of biotechnology. Biotechnology Journal, 2(9), 1105–1111.253