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An Evaluation Framework for “Provenancing” to Enhance Te Tiriti o Waitangi Responsiveness in Environmental Science Research
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This paper describes a Maori-centered evaluation framework ('TREF') developed for the New Zealand government-funded AIM2 microplastics research project, centered on the concept of 'provenancing' — tracking where environmental samples come from and building lasting relationships with Indigenous communities whose lands are sampled. The framework offers a model for how microplastic research can be conducted in ways that are responsive to Indigenous rights and values under the Treaty of Waitangi. It matters because community trust and culturally appropriate research design are increasingly recognized as essential to environmental science that affects Indigenous territories.
The Aotearoa Impacts and Mitigation of Microplastics (AIM 2 ) government funded research project supported biophysical and social science research to better understand the sources and environmental impacts of microplastics contaminants and to reduce the impacts on the environment. A Māori‐centered co‐design approach resulted in a Tiriti Responsiveness Evaluation Framework (TREF) and insights on how research can better support meaningful inquiry with Māori values and aspirations front and center. The evaluation framework centers the importance of “provenancing,” entailing at minimum a project keeping information of where environmental samples were sourced from, and optimally the beginning of an enduring relationship. The tools and learnings amassed focus on provenancing as a tool that helps anchor meaningful relationship with mana whenua and articulate tangible steps and pathways for improvement for responsiveness to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in research. The resources generated reflect lessons learned and pathways for orienting explicit values and ethical commitments to whaipainga ōrite (equity) and kāwanatanga (good governance) in research practice to support better outcomes for Māori in science research.
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