Sector collaboration

The development, implementation and operation of NZRIS is underpinned by a commitment to collaboration, co-governance and co-design with the research, science and innovation sector.

About our approach

We are working in partnership with the research, science and innovation sector, including the Māori research community, to build NZRIS in a way that benefits all participants and users. To enable this to happen, we have a framework in place that ensures the sector is actively involved in guiding, directing, feeding into and helping design the new system. This includes the NZRIS Stewardship and Oversight Group (NSOG), the NZRIS Funder-Researcher Working Group (FRWG), the NZRIS Indigenous Data Sovereignty Working Group (IDSWG) and Research, Science and Innovation sector sub-sectoral or functional groups which are set up as required to focus on particular topics or areas of interest.

NZRIS Stewardship and Oversight Group (NSOG)

The NZRIS Stewardship and Oversight Group (NSOG) is a cross-sector group that is responsible for providing oversight of the NZRIS data approach and management. This includes ensuring that the data principles identified in the 2016 Research, Science and Innovation Domain Plan which relate to openness, protection and usability of data – continue to underpin NZRIS as it develops and matures.

Professor Richard Blaikie, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Enterprise of the University of Otago, is chair of NSOG. Members of the group come from a range of organisations from across the research, science and innovation sector, and represent a variety of skills, expertise and interests.

NZRIS Indigenous Data Sovereignty Working Group (IDSWG)

Tēnei te mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.

Data is a taonga and so it is important to see data in the context of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi, and how it contributes to the realisation of Māori aspirations. This section describes the ongoing journey of NZRIS to meet the needs of Māori research communities.

Early in the development of NZRIS, we consulted with with key Māori researchers and scientists working in the RS&I sector to seek feedback on the “conceptual model”. The conceptual model aims to describe how the RS&I sector operates. This consultation produced a number of recommendations that were incorporated into the model, and also guided development and helped to ensure we reflected the diversity of Māori research practices and end-users.

This research and consultation on the design of NZRIS was conducted by Tīaho Limited, a kaupapa Māori research and consultancy group that consists of Dr Jessica Hutchings, Shirley Simmonds and Dr Helen Potter. Tīaho were involved in in an advisory capacity during development and the early implementation stages for NZRIS, as have other key people in the Māori research community. A copy of the report on the initial consultation can be found here:

There are a number of ways NZRIS can support Māori research, science and innovation activities. This includes providing more readily available information about kaupapa Māori research, the researchers and activities that aim to deliver benefits for Māori, and collaborations with particular iwi.

The development of NZRIS has looked to incorporate values which align with the principles of Māori data sovereignty. These include the following:

  • rangatiratanga (sovereignty)
  • whanaungatanga (connection)
  • manaakitanga (care)
  • kaitiakitanga (guardianship)
  • pūkengatanga (striving for excellence).

The NZRIS Indigenous Data Sovereignty Working Group (IDSWG) has been established to provide guidance and advice on the development of NZRIS. The group has a specific focus on giving effect to and embodying the NZRIS Māori data principles outlined above.

The NZRIS team acknowledges its commitment to tangata whenua and recognises data is a dynamic topic of importance to Māori. It is an ongoing journey for the programme and data providers in meeting the needs of Māori research communities.

For those that would like to contribute their views on this important topic please contact NZRIS@mbie.govt.nz

To find out more about Māori data sovereignty see the following links:

Te Mana Rarunga Māori Data Sovereignty Network(external link)

Māori Data Futures Hui Report (9 May 2018) [PDF 533KB](external link) — Science for Technological Innovation

Māori Data Futures Hui Report (20 & 21 March 2019) [1.3KB](external link) — Science for Technological Innovation 

To find out more about kaupapa Māori research see the following links:

Principles of Kaupapa Māori(external link) — Rangahau

Kaupapa Māori Research(external link) — Katoa Limited

Funder-Researcher Working Group (FRWG)

The Funder-Researcher Working Group (FRWG) has sector-wide representation. Its members come from a range of organisations and represent a variety of interests, skills and expertise. The purpose of the FRWG is to act as a sounding board for NZRIS-related matters that affect the wider RS&I sector. It also serves as a vehicle for sector-wide capacity-building activities in relation to NZRIS, to ensure sector-wide issues and concerns are well defined, and to make recommendations to NSOG on NZRIS related matters that affect the wider RS&I sector.

RS&I sub-sector and functional groups

These groups are set up on an as-required basis as focused working groups on selected matters or common areas of interest. These can serve a variety of purposes, such as providing a basis for sub-sector-specific capacity building activities, assisting the NSOG in the performance of its functions, and a forum for work shopping sub-sectoral issues and concerns, and identifying possible courses of action.

Last updated: 25 March 2022