Rakeiora Pathfinder Project
A programme to improve genomic knowledge that will impact on the wellbeing of New Zealanders is being co-developed and co-governed with Māori. Rakeiora is a “pathfinder” to test options to acquire, protect, use and store genomic datasets for use in healthcare research in Aotearoa New Zealand. Genomics is an area of research that underpins genetic or molecular profiling for precision medicine.
Human genomics is seeing rapid global growth, but to maximise its benefits for New Zealand we need to be mindful of our unique cultural and genetic composition, significant health inequities and historical misuses of genomics. We require coherent national processes to bring together genomic data with multiple other forms of health-related information from multiple spheres of research and practice to benefit all New Zealanders. This means co-developing with Māori a foundation for an innovative and scalable national genomics research infrastructure to manage and govern data, its ownership and guardianship, including New Zealand-specific genomic databases. The aim is to enable researchers to translate genomic knowledge into health practices that advance the wellbeing of New Zealanders, and in particular address the country’s health inequities by developing genomic tools that put the needs and priorities of Māori at the centre.
Speaker Panel:
Prof Stephen Robertson, University of Otago; Principal Investigator, Rakeiora
Assoc Prof Phillip Wilcox, University of Otago; Principal Investigator, Rakeiora
Dr Cristin Print, University of Auckland; Principal Investigator, Rakeiora
Benjamin Iwikau Te Aika, Project Manager, Rakeiora
Dr Ben Curran, University of Auckland
Dr Donia Macartney-Coxson, Institute for Environmental Science and Research (ESR)
Huti Watson, deputy chair of Ngāti Porou Hauora Charitable Trust (NPHCT) Board
Tuta Niho Haereroa
Speaker Panel:
Prof Stephen Robertson, University of Otago; Principal Investigator, Rakeiora
Assoc Prof Phillip Wilcox, University of Otago; Principal Investigator, Rakeiora
Dr Cristin Print, University of Auckland; Principal Investigator, Rakeiora
Benjamin Iwikau Te Aika, Project Manager, Rakeiora
Dr Ben Curran, University of Auckland
Dr Donia Macartney-Coxson, Institute for Environmental Science and Research (ESR)
Huti Watson, deputy chair of Ngāti Porou Hauora Charitable Trust (NPHCT) Board
Tuta Niho Haereroa
