1. Strengthening Māori research ethics through NEAC’s ethical guidelines
Dr Maureen Holdaway
Dr Kahu McClintock
National Ethics Advisory Committee

2. About NEAC
NEAC is an independent advisory committee to the Minister of Health
NEAC’s statutory functions include determining ethical standards across the health and disability sector
NEAC’s ethical guidelines for observational and intervention studies set out the ethical standards for health and disability research in New Zealand
All researchers are required to meet these standards

3. Guidelines review
NEAC is undertaking a comprehensive review of its ethical guidelines for observational and intervention studies
Objectives – ensure fit for purpose and consistent with other guidance
Clear ethical standards (“must” and “should”) followed by description of application
Greater focus on Māori research ethics and improving Māori health and wellbeing

4. Treaty of Waitangi
Co-design an advanced national health research ethics platform that encompasses two world views
Conventional ethics
Tikanga Māori (indigenous ethics)
Build on work of others – Māori research methodologies, guidelines for research involving Māori, and guidelines for Māori research ethics

5. Māori values
Tika
Manaakitanga
Whakapapa
Mana

6. Māori values
Are tika, manaakitanga, whakapapa and mana the right values?
Are there others that should be included?
How can we ensure the values are visible throughout the guidelines?

7. Relationships
Partnership – working together with Māori to ensure Māori individual and collective rights are respected and protected
Participation – involving Māori in design, governance, management, implementation and analysis of research
Protection – actively protecting Māori individual and collective rights, and Māori data, cultural concepts, norms, practices and language in the research process

8. Relationships
What should the guidelines say about consultation with Māori and governance arrangements?
What are the minimum ethical standards for consultation and governance?

9. Research design
All health and disability research conducted in New Zealand will impact on Māori
There needs to be a stronger focus, across all research, on improving Māori health and wellbeing

10. Research design
What should the guidelines say about including Māori as participants?
What minimum ethical standards are required to ensure research contributes to improving Māori health and wellbeing?

11. Consent
When research focuses on a whānau, hapū or iwi, the researcher should consult with the group or representatives of the group
If the group agrees to the research, consent of individuals is still required and must be respected
If the group does not agree with the research, then the research must not proceed

12. Consent What should the guidelines say about collective consent?
What are the minimum ethical standards for collective and individual consent?

13. NEAC contacts Website: http://neac.health.govt.nz/home
We would welcome your input on the new guidelines and expect to undertake public consultation in early 2018
Website:

14. Bibliography
National Ethics Advisory Committee Ethical Guidelines for Observational Studies: Observational research, audits and related activities. Revised edition. Wellington: Ministry of Health
National Ethics Advisory Committee Ethical Guidelines for Intervention Studies: Revised edition. Wellington: Ministry of Health
Atatoa-Carr P, Hudson M, Kingi T K, Moore A. November Āhuatanga ū te tika me te pono mō te Rangahau Māori, Māori Research Ethics: An overview. National Ethics Advisory Committee