Indigenous biodiscovery: Engaging with kaitiaki

Abstract

This policy brief is designed to support researchers and commercial entities to undertake fair, equitable and culturally grounded biodiscovery with Indigenous biological and genetic resources in Aotearoa New Zealand, while remaining adaptable for international application.

In the absence of a regulatory framework and formal guidance, there is limited guidance and few legal requirements for researchers and companies to engage with kaitiaki when undertaking biodiscovery activities. This paper, therefore, explores kaitiaki relationships with taonga species and mātauranga Māori, including who has authority and interests, why it is important to recognise these relationships, and clarifies when engagement with kaitiaki should occur at each stage of the research and innovation lifecycle, with supporting principles to guide fair, equitable, and trusting engagement.