The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) committed, via the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Capability Fund, to support research organisations to identify and break down barriers to attracting, retaining, and growing an equitable, diverse and inclusive workforce.

NIWA (on behalf of Science New Zealand) was contracted by MBIE for $464,220 excluding GST from 1 March 2022 to 30 September 2023 for the project Mā Te Ara Pātaiao ka taea - Enabling science pathways for Māori.

This Project aimed to better understand how to attract and retain more Māori in the science system, focusing on Crown Research Institutes (CRIs). Two complementary projects also received funding in 2021, one focused on New Zealand Universities and the other on the Independent Research Association of New Zealand (IRANZ). Together, the three EDI projects were expected to provide: (1) an integrated and collaborative approach towards developing and implementing EDI best practices for members of each of the three sector groupings; and (2) partnering with Māori to strengthen and grow Māori participation in the RSI workforce.

The CRIs will leverage resources and establish networks with the aim to grow and develop the talent pool, prompting further study or full-time employment for Māori (especially in CRIs - New Zealand’s largest providers of science research to the public and private sectors). The Project will align pathways and aim to promote science careers in CRIs as meaningful, quality employment options through pan-CRI engagement with universities, and provide Māori students/graduates with access to opportunities and visible career pathways across all CRIs.

The report can be downloaded here.