Māori businesses and biotechnologies are explored in new journal article from Te Kawa a Māui graduate.
Results from a study conducted by Te Kawa a Māui master’s graduate Symon Palmer have been published in an international journal New Genetics and Society.
The study examined Māori perceptions of biotechnologies in pest wasp control as part of a BioHeritage National Science Challenge project examining novel pest control technologies. The research is contributing to wider efforts to control invasive species, such as wasps, that are causing harm to Indigenous flora and fauna. Bringing back birdsong is the goal of a Predator Free 2050, but can Aotearoa reach this target using current methods?
Costing an estimated $133m annually, the German and common wasp are detrimental to native species’ food sources, beekeepers, and even people. Current pest management techniques lack the ability to protect large areas effectively. With no natural predator and a huge wasp population in beech forests across Aotearoa, the need for new strategies are clear.
To support pest management efforts, the BioHeritage Novel Wasp Control Technologies research theme was established. Professor Phil Lester (School of Biological Sciences) and Associate Professor Ocean Mercier (Te Kawa a Māui) led a team of researchers to investigate the potential use of biotechnologies in pest wasp management.
Various tools like gene drive and pheromones were up for consideration, requiring input from tangata whenua. Associate Professor Ocean Mercier supervised two master’s students Symon Palmer and Alan King-Hunt to explore Māori perceptions of biotechnologies in pest wasp management.
Palmer’s newly published research focused on the economic impact and social perceptions of Māori businesses. The Māori economy is estimated to be worth $50billion with large investments in primary industries such as beekeeping, signalling a need to gauge Māori industry perspectives. Nine Māori businesses from across Aotearoa contributed to the study, representing a range of primary industries, including apiculture, agriculture, horticulture, and viticulture.
Participants expressed the need for a control that was specific and targeted and agreed that ‘doing nothing’ was the worst possible option. Surprisingly, this surfaced the potential for novel tools in pest wasp management. Discussion raised concerns for the unknown and potential risk in adopting biotechnologies in pest management. Another challenge observed was how to communicate these complex technologies with a non-specialist audience.
The journal article draws attention to the need for consideration of Māori businesses, and the potential to learn from previous pest management challenges.
In one example, participants reflected positively on experiences in managing the use of 1080 in their tribal area. These experiences were rich in tikanga, highlighting potential pathways for future consultation.
The findings support the need for partnership with Māori organisations going forward to reach a Predator Free 2050. Palmer says that “the success of Predator Free 2050 will depend on meaningful engagement and partnership with Māori”.
The recommendations inform the next phase of BioHeritage research being conducted by Novel Tools and Strategies (Invertebrates), which Symon is currently working on alongside Associate Professor Ocean Mercier and Professor Phil Lester.
Read the full article in New Genetics and Society.