Ngā mihi
Welcome to the inaugural SING Aotearoa internship programme. The Summer Internship for Indigenous Genomics is an initiative led by Te Waka o Tama-rereti, an emerging network of Maori with interests in Genomics, Informatics and Technology as part of a Vision Matauranga Capability Fund project.
In recent years there has been significant advances in the fields of genetics and genomics and an increasing focus on Maori populations and indigenous species. All research conducted in Aotearoa New Zealand should involve consultation with Iwi Maori so it is important that we understand enough about the technical, ethical and cultural issues to engage researchers in robust discussions during that process.
The SING Aotearoa programme is designed to develop your understanding of genomics alongside some of the best researchers in New Zealand. We are grateful that researchers like Prof Parry Guilford, Prof Lisa Matisoo-Smith, and Dr Nick Roskruge have made space to spend time with us and share their knowledge and experience. Make use of this time by asking lots of questions.
The University of Otago is our host for 2016 and we are grateful for the time and resources that the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics Otago, and the Deputy Vice Chancellors Office have committed to support this initiative. The University of Otago is one of the oldest and most prestigious Universities in New Zealand with a strong tradition of research. They have a formal relationship with Ngai Tahu and have established the Ngai Tahu Research Review Committee to guide and support consultation with Maori.
While genetics has been a lightning rod for debate in past years we hope that this workshop provides a space to share ideas and thoughts in an informative way. Ma te mohio ka marama, Ma te marama ka matau, Ma te matau ka ora. Through awareness comes understanding, through understanding comes knowledge, through knowledge comes wellbeing. Kia ora koutou katoa.
SING-Aotearoa ConvenersPhil Wilcox
Khyla Russell, Katharina Ruckstuhl, Maui Hudson, Dan Hikuroa, Kimiora Henare