New Zealand Science Review

Taku teina, tōku rangatira. Recruitment, development and retention of Māori and Pasifika in science

Sarah Rewi — 2023-07-26

The tuākana-teina (older-younger sibling) relationship is one of reciprocity that empowers leadership and support (Amopiu 2019). In response to the struggles of Māori and Pasifika students within educational institutions, the tuākana-teina relationship has been incorporated to enhance their cultural and academic well-being (Bishop and Glynn 2003; Callaghan et al. 2018; Oetzel et al. 2021; Parr 2016). In 1991, based upon this philosophy, Professor Michael Walker began the Tuākana programme within the School of Biological Sciences at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland. This paper examines the role of the Tūakana Biology programme in the recruitment, development and retention of Māori in Science at Waipapa Taumata Rau. Drawing from data and experiences of the programme from its inception to current day students, a secondary data analysis was conducted. Here we identify key components that make Tuākana Biology a success and challenges that restrict its implementation. We found the cultural space and community provided by Tuākana enhances Māori and Pasifika recruitment, development, and retention, positioning Tuākana Biology as a potential solution to Māori and Pasifika success within academia. Lack of funding, staffing capacity, and access to student data are the challenges the programme looks to overcome to realise its full potential.

Building connectivity at the research-policy interface in Aotearoa through a public sector postdoctoral fellowship scheme

Olivia Truax — 2023-08-22

Improving connectivity at the research-policy interface and supporting career development for early career researchers are twin goals of government-funded research systems in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. The Aotearoa Ministry for Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) began the process of overhauling the research system to achieve these, and other, goals through Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways programme in 2021. Here, I propose a public sector postdoctoral fellowship scheme to place PhD graduates into roles within central government agencies, which MBIE could implement during the first phase of Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways reforms. The Fellowship would strengthen collaboration at the research-policy interface and provide a low investment, high impact, opportunity to retain talent in Aotearoa by developing flexible career pathways for PhD graduates.

Consulting with Māori during development of a point-of-care device; translational and experiential findings.

Te-Rina King-Hudson — 2023-02-15

Aim: To consult with Māori on the design and development of a direct-to-consumer point-of-care (POC) device and gather views on point-of-care testing and biotechnology.

Method: One-on-one interviews and small group hui with self-identified Māori university staff and students (n = 6) conducted by an early-career Māori scientist.

Results: Key themes were the importance of achieving improved health outcomes for Māori through addressing known socioeconomic, geographic, and cultural factors that perpetuate health disparities. Other findings were the value of recognising the diversity in modern Māori identities, perspectives, and communities, as well as views on using synthetic biomolecules in medical devices and perceptions of biotechnology, and the potential for cultural over-engagement or misplaced focus in consultation.

Conclusion: In this article, we describe our approach and experience of consultation led by a Māori lab-based scientist, and report unique perspectives of biotechnology from non-expert Māori academics for the first time. Direct-to-consumer POC testing may promote kaupapa Māori values such as tino rangatiratanga, whakawhanaungatanga and tikanga, which may help Māori overcome barriers to health care and testing, a key step in achieving improved health outcomes.

New Zealand Association of Scientists: Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways submission

New Zealand Association of Scientists — 2022-12-19

The New Zealand Association of Scientists Awards for 2021

Editors — 2022-12-19

The New Zealand Association of Scientists Awards for 2022

Editors — 2022-12-19

Donald Dalglish McGregor

Willie Smith — 2022-12-19

Reform for a future-focused science system

Tara Thurlow-Rae — 2022-12-19

NZAS Council Perspectives on Mātauranga Māori and Science

NZAS Council — 2023-03-12

President’s column

Lucy Stewart — 2022-12-19