Embedding te Tiriti o Waitangi

Te Ara Paerangi statement

In response to a strong call from the sector, MBIE has committed to a statement that outlines how Te Tiriti o Waitangi will be a key element of success in the Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways reforms of the research, science and innovation system.

The statement serves as a first step in supporting MBIE to develop policies and investments that honour Te Tiriti and the aspirations of Māori in research, science and innovation. It highlights the principles that have been, and will continue to be, guiding the system reforms.

Organisations that undertake research, science and innovation may wish to refer to the statement to understand MBIE’s intentions and directions, and to inform their own work to embed Te Tiriti in research, science and innovation.

To deliver on the Statement’s objective, MBIE will develop a work programme that upholds its Tiriti obligations and delivers the actions that will enable and align Te Ara Paerangi with Te Tiriti.

Expanding the impact of Vision Mātauranga

Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways aims to attract and grow Māori talent and enable Māori to better navigate and participate in the research, science and innovation system. An early investment to deliver on these outcomes includes a suite of programmes and funding opportunities designed to create meaningful pathways for Māori talent into and through the system.

• Kanapu programme(external link) – Māori-designed and led programme to support and accelerate Māori talent and leadership across the research, science and innovation system.
• He tipu ka hua fund – investment in Māori-led research programmes of up to $6 million (excluding GST) per annum for up to 5 years.
• He aka ka toro fund – investment in projects that advance iwi, hapū, hapori and Māori rōpū research, science and innovation priorities and mātauranga Māori of up to $4 million per annum (excluding GST).
• Ngā Puanga Pūtaiao fellowships – funding for early and mid-career Māori and Pacific researchers at eligible New Zealand research organisations working primarily in STEM fields of $19.3 million (excluding GST).
• Te Ara Pōtiki(external link) – a global knowledge exchange programme that will see Māori innovators in STEM disciplines placed in world leading international food and agriculture tech businesses, initially in the United States of America.

More information about these programmes and funding opportunities can be found in the Expanding the impact of Vision Mātauranga 2023 investment plan.

Expanding the Impact of Vision Mātauranga – 2023 investment plan

These investments accompany the Te Pūnaha Hihiko: Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund, a government investment designed to accelerate and support the science and innovation potential of Māori knowledge, resources and people for the benefit of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Te Pūnaha Hihiko: Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund

Analysing government investment in Māori

Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways aims to increase representation of Māori in the research, science and innovation system.

MBIE commissioned an independent analysis of government grants and investment funds from 2018 to 2020. The report showed that Māori are significantly underrepresented in research careers and there are generally low levels of investment in Māori research, science and innovation.

Its findings and recommendations are helping improve funding processes and management through the Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways programme.

Government investment in Māori research, science and innovation

Reform objectives

MBIE’s commitments and policy directions to embed Te Tiriti in the research, science and innovation system are outlined in the Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways White Paper.

Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways reform objectives