Scientific Collaborative Research with Māori Communities: Kaupapa or Kūpapa Māori?

The phrase ‘for Māori, by Māori, with Māori’, synonymous with Kaupapa Māori research, reflects the strong community participatory orientation and aims of this paradigm. Its use has evolved from glib reference and catchphrase, to a ‘checklist'/gauge of how well a research project has enacted community participatory principles, and to what extent Māori participation in the research process is meaningful and empowered. Description of research according to this ‘shorthand’ definition, however, can be misleading. This paper will discuss two models of collaborative scientific research, conducted at the Institute of Environmental Health and Research (ESR) in association with Māori communities, ‘for, by and with Māori’. However, Te Riu o Hokianga and the Rakaipaaka Health and Ancestry Study occupy opposite ends of the shared partnership – researcher-led spectrum, and differ quite significantly in their orientation, application of Māori research principles, and approach to achievement of their objectives. If the ‘for, by and with’ mantra does not in itself sufficiently guarantee alignment with Kaupapa Māori principles, what other mechanisms exist to ensure that this is so? Is articulating the degree of Māori responsiveness for funding and ethics proposals adequate? Where these judgements are largely subjective, who decides when a research project ‘measures up’: Kaupapa Māori researchers, participating Māori communities, funders, or perhaps ethics committees? The importance of Māori-focused innovation, development and advancement in research has been indicated within Vote RS&T policy and incorporated into funding/investment opportunities within an existing framework that values research excellence and a track record. Ensuring that research excellence as defined and purchased translates into excellence in practice is one issue. A further and equally important issue is whether the measures and means of achieving excellence therein translate into excellence for research practice with Māori communities. In the context of conducting research with Māori within a Crown Research Institute, a third issue emerges: that of the alignment (or not) of science excellence indicators and outcomes with those of Māori research excellence. With reference to two examples of science research collaboration with Māori communities, these three key issues will be considered, with inference for Māori research excellence and future directions in collaborative scientific research.