Rangatiratanga and Ōritetanga: responses to the Treaty of Waitangi in a New Zealand study

Abstract

Introduction. Although opportunities exist for positive experiences in research, Māori in New Zealand, like other indigenous people colonised by Europeans in the nineteenth century, have also been subject to research and associated policies that have had long-lasting negative consequences. Researchers have subsequently been challenged by Māori to conduct research that is acceptable, accountable and relevant. Much of this debate has taken place within the framework of the Treaty of Waitangi, a treaty of cession signed between Māori and British Crown representatives in 1840. Nowadays, health and health research statutes exist that require researchers to respond to the ‘principles’ of the Treaty. Few practical examples of how health researchers have undertaken this have been published.

Aims. We examine how, in developing a national study of injury outcomes, we responded to the Treaty. Our study, the Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study, aims to quantitatively identify predictors of disability following injury and to qualitatively explore experiences and perceptions of injury outcomes.

Discussion. Responses to the Treaty included: consultation with Māori groups, translation of the questionnaire into te reo Māori, appointment of interviewers fluent in te reo Māori, sufficient numbers of Māori participants to allow Māori-specific analyses and the inclusion of a Māori-specific qualitative component. While this article is located within the New Zealand context, we believe it will resonate with, and be of relevance to, health researchers in other former settler societies. We do not contend this project represents an ‘ideal’ model for undertaking population-based research. Instead, we hope that by describing our efforts at responding to the Treaty, we can prompt wider debate of the complex realities of the research environment, one which is scientifically, ethically and culturally located.

Keywords:

• indigenous
• Māori
• policy
• bicultural
• power
• injury

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the HRC of New Zealand and the ACC for funding the Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study. Views and/or conclusions in this article are those of the authors and may not reflect the position of ACC. Dr Wyeth is also supported by a HRC of New Zealand Eru Pōmare Postdoctoral Fellowship. The authors would like to thank all those who have provided advice to date during the development and initial stages of this project. Drs Joanne Baxter and Dorothy Begg are also thanked for their helpful comments and suggestions on earlier versions of this article.

Notes

1. At the time of writing, the Study is in its recruitment phase.

2. Over 500 tribal representatives in approximately 40 different locations throughout the country over a seven-month period eventually signed the Treaty of Waitangi.

3. The overall purpose of the Health Research Council, as stated in the Health Research Council Act 1990, is to ‘… improve human health by promoting and funding research’.