Processes of the
Commission
appendix 1
Context and process
Section contents
3.
Processes of the Commission
102
3.6
Maori Consultation programme: the process
144
Introduction
144
Establishing the Maori Consultation Programme
145
Initial hui
145
Maori Consultation programme organisation
145
Advertising and publicity of Maori Consultation
programme
146
Workshops
146
Regional Hui
147
National Hui
148
3.
section 3.6 |
p144 |
Section 3: Processes of the Commission
Report Appendix 1 | Royal Commission on Genetic M odification
3.6 Maori Consultation
programme: the process
Introduction
The Commission's terms of reference (its Warrant) required it to consult widely
with the public in a way that allowed people to express clearly their views on the
use in New Zealand of genetic modification, genetically modified organisms and
products.
The Warrant specified a requirement:
to consult and engage with Maori in a manner that specifically provides for their needs
Among the matters which the Commission was required to investigate and
receive representations upon were the following items:
(g) the Crown's responsibilities under the Treaty of Waitangi in relation to genetic
modification, genetically modified organisms, and products
(j) the main areas of public interest in genetic modification, genetically modified
organisms, and products, including those related to -
(iv) cultural and ethical concerns
(k) the key strategic issues drawing on ethical, cultural, environmental, social, and
economic risks and benefits arising from the use of genetic modification,
genetically modified organisms and products
Thus, besides the Commission's objectives and responsibilities in establishing
the public consultation programme, it was also charged with consulting with
Maori in a manner that specifically provided for Maori needs and cultural and
ethical concerns, and the Crown's responsibilities under the Treaty of Waitangi.
The Maori Consultation programme was one of several options available to
Maori to participate in the inquiry. These included Formal Hearings, Public
Submissions, a Youth Forum, Public Meetings and a public opinion survey.
This section outlines the process involved in specifically consulting with Maori.
Analysis of the outcomes is included in Appendix 3 (see "Analysis of Maori
Consultation programme: oral and written submissions from Hui").
Section 3: Processes of the Commission
| H1 | p145
Royal Commission on Genetic Modification | Report Appendix 1
Establishing the Maori Consultation
Programme
The Commission decided to meet and discuss with Maori the most appropriate
methods for conducting a Maori Consultation programme.
Initial hui
With the assistance of the Kaumatua Council of Te Arawa, Bishop Manu Bennett
and Te Puni Kokiri, the Commission held an initial hui at Tunohopu Marae,
Ohinemutu, Rotorua, on 21 July 2000 to seek input into defining an appropriate
consultation process for Maori. Thirty-four people, together with the four
Commissioners and Commission officials, attended the hui.
Participants at this scoping hui expressed a desire for independence from
government agencies in organisation of the Maori Consultation programme.
The Commission noted the outcome of the initial hui and the views expressed
and said it would formulate a process with an appropriate time frame and resources.
Maori Consultation programme organisation
After further consideration, the Commission compiled a consultation programme
of 28 regional workshops and 10 Regional Hui throughout New Zealand from 24
October 2000 to 10 March 2001, culminating in a National Hui at
Turangawaewae Marae, Ngaruawahia, on 6­8 April 2001. An independent
consultant was appointed to manage the programme.
The different elements of the Maori Consultation programme had the following
objectives:
*
The workshops were intended to inform Maori regarding the Commission,
its terms of reference and the submission process..
*
The 10 Regional Hui were intended to provide a familiar and reasonably
accessible venue for Maori to make submissions.
*
The National Hui would double as a Regional Hui for the King Country,
Waikato and Counties areas and also as a hui which representatives from the
10 completed Regional Hui could attend and korero about the results of the
hui in their regions, and so provide a composite view of the results of the
Commission's workshop and Regional Hui consultation programme.
The Commission sought to provide as much opportunity as possible for people to
attend meetings. Workshops were held from Kaikohe to Invercargill and Regional
Hui from Whangarei to Dunedin. Suitable times and venues were discussed with
local iwi organisations and Te Puni Kokiri provided occasional administrative
assistance. The complete schedule of workshops and hui is published later in this
volume (see "Operational detail: Maori Consultation programme: Schedule of
workshops and hui").
Advertising and publicity of Maori Consultation
programme
A combination of advertising methods and publicity exercises was used to inform
Maori of the workshops and hui on a national and regional basis.
Notification of the Maori Consultation programme was first made in a nationally
distributed news release to media on 4 October 2000. Regionalised advertisements
were placed in national dailies from 18 October 2000. In addition, a series of three
radio advertisements with localised content was aired on Maori radio stations
from 17 October 2000.
A panui (in English and Maori) was faxed directly to iwi organisations, marae,
and specialist Maori, community and metropolitan media throughout New
Zealand on 10 October 2000. The panui was alson placed on the websites of the
Commission and Maori organisations.
Localised reminder `posters', panui and news releases were issued to community
and Maori media, iwi organisations and marae by fax and/or email in the weeks
immediately preceding the Regional Hui to augment the advertising campaign.
These were followed up with phone calls to local media by Secretariat staff.
The workshops and hui received media coverage in local community and
metropolitan newspapers and on radio and television stations both before and after
the events.
Workshops
The workshops focused on providing information on the role and tasks of the
Commission and how, where and when to make a submission to it.
The workshop programme consisted of:
*
mihimihi
*
description of the role and work of the Commission
*
description of how to make a written and/or oral submission to the
Commission
*
description of how a Regional Hui with the Commission would operate
*
provision of an information pack on genetic modification
*
presenting an Environmental Risk Management Authority video providing
a Maori perspective on genetic modification issues
*
discussion of the submission process.
Although some information on genetic modification was made available at the
workshops (by way of an information pack containing the Commission's
background papers on the subject), it was made clear that emphasis would be
placed on imparting information about the Commission and the submission
process, rather then educating attendees about genetic modification or debating
the issues. Where time permitted, however, discussion was encouraged to help
formulate and coordinate ideas for a possible submission to the Commission.
The workshops were of approximately two hours' duration and preceded the
Regional Hui in the area. For example, before the first Regional Hui in Wanganui
on 4 November 2000, workshops were held at Palmerston North, Wanganui and
New Plymouth on 24, 25 and 26 October 2000, respectively. Attendance number
varied from four (Kaikohe) to over 30 (Te Kuiti).
Regional Hui
All except one of the 10 Regional Hui (from Whangarei to Dunedin) were marae-
based and attended by at least three Commissioners. Formal marae protocol was
observed in all cases and the Commission was accompanied to all the Regional
Hui, except one, by Te Arawa kaumatua and kuia, Pihopa Kingi and Inez Kingi.
Officials attending included an interpreter.
Each Regional Hui was conducted over one day and provided a formal channel in
a marae setting for Maori to present oral and/or written submissions directly to
the Commission. Most of the Regional Hui were held on Saturdays.
The regional hui programme consisted of:
*
powhiri
*
statement by the Commission on its purpose and inquiry process
*
description of the day's agenda and process
*
submissions (oral and written) to the Commission
*
selection of representatives from the hui to attend the National Hui
*
closing statement by the Commission.
All the Regional Hui were chaired by a member of the local community.
Each submitter was allocated 15 minutes to make a submission. All oral
submissions were taped (except where submitters requested that they be not) to
p148 |
Section 3: Processes of the Commission
Report Appendix 1 | Royal Commission on Genetic M odification
form part of the Commission's records. Submitters were able to make
presentations in English or Maori. Most submitters greeted the Commission in
Maori and made their main presentation in English. Submissions made in Maori
were translated simultaneously for the Commission.
People who had prepared written submissions in most cases presented them
orally as well.
Written submissions ranged from a substantial number of typed pages to single-
sheet handwritten notes, and some were notes for oral submissions.
Submissions and views were presented by a range of groups and individuals,
including national Maori organisations, Maori doctors and health practitioner
groups, iwi organisations, rangatahi groups, university lecturers, specialised
Maori organic food groups, Maori lawyers, land trusts, and individuals (Maori
and non-Maori).
The marae-based hui format and the presence of the Commission at all Regional
Hui provided Maori with an accessible, familiar, open, free-flow forum to present
their submissions, written or oral, directly to the Commissioners, kanohi ki te
kanohi.
National Hui
The National Hui was held at Turangawaewae Marae, Ngaruawahia on 6­8
April 2001. The Commission provided funding for travel and marae
accommodation for two representatives from each of the 10 Regional Hui to
attend the National Hui.
The National Hui doubled as a Regional Hui for the King Country, Waikato and
Counties region. A major part of the National Hui was spent hearing submissions
from those areas. Representatives from the other 10 Regional Hui were allotted
time to speak during the formal part of the hui but only after the local submissions
had finished.
On the evening of 7 April, many of those attending the hui continued to meet and
korero among themselves without the Commission members present. At the next
hui session on the morning of Sunday, 8 April, the group presented 16
recommendations on genetic modification to the hui. The hui endorsed these
recommendations and then presented them to the Commission.
These recommendations are reported in full in Appendix 3.