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Information for Kaitiaki

What is the Aotearoa Genomic Data Repository?

The Aotearoa Genomic Data Repository (AGDR) is a secure data facility that stores genomic information (genetic data) from a range of Aotearoa’s taonga species. The repository has been jointly developed by Genomics Aotearoa (GA) and the New Zealand eScience Infrastructure (NeSI).

When genetic data are placed into the AGDR the data is assigned a kaitiaki. The kaitiaki are usually the hapū or iwi who hold mana whenua over the sample collection area. Kaitiaki may have been involved with sample collection and research, or in cases where research has been undertaken without mana whenua participation kaitiaki may be contacted retrospectively.

The AGDR is not an Open Access data repository. Data in the repository can only be accessed with kaitiaki approval.

Taonga species within the AGDR

Taonga species data are recognised to include any data from species native to Aotearoa, and/or any species that are valued by Māori as taonga.

A number of data sets are held within the repository, including some of Aotearoa’s well known taonga species such as kākāpō and crimson glory mānuka. Requests for accessing kākāpō data are approved by Ngāi Tahu as the assigned kaitiaki, with support from the Department of Conservation. Access requests for crimson glory mānuka are approved by Rangitāne o Manawatū.

Who can access the genetic data?

Researchers from both Aotearoa and from overseas may apply for access to AGDR taonga species genetic data. Any access requests must first be approved by the nominated kaitiaki before data is released. Researchers wanting to access data, as well as researchers placing data in the repository, are expected to engage respectfully and reciprocally with kaitiaki Māori, in a manner that respects the rights and protections provided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

What is the process for data access requests?

  • Researchers who wish to access specific taonga species data submit an access request through the AGDR webpage. The request form includes a number of questions about what the data will be used for and how it will be used. Questions also include those related to cultural considerations.
  • The access request is first assessed for completeness by staff from NeSI and Aotearoa Genomic Data Repository. If the request has insufficient information for kaitiaki to assess the application, the request will be returned to the researcher. If the application appears complete it will be forwarded to the nominated kaitiaki for their consideration.
  • Kaitiaki assess the request application and may approve or deny data access, or may approve with imposed conditions. Kaitiaki may seek further information from the researcher before making a decision. NeSI and Genomics Aotearoa staff are happy to assist kaitiaki with any questions they may have.
  • If a researcher’s request is approved, data access is permitted for a specific period of time (usually this is for one year ). Should researchers require further access to the data they must reapply for permission.

What does the kaitiaki role involve?

Expectations of hapū or iwi organisations that hold kaitiakitanga over AGDR taonga species data include:

  • Providing up to date kaitiaki contact details.
  • The ability (and mandate) to make decisions on behalf of the nominated kaitiaki organisation (hapū, iwi, whānau or other rōpū). This may involve one person nominated as decision-maker, but often an individual will communicate information between the wider kaitiaki rōpū and AGDR staff.
  • The decision-making process is entirely in the hands of those holding kaitiakitanga over the data set - no data are made available to the requestor until the kaitiaki contact indicates that the request has been approved.
  • If there is significant time involved in assessing data access requests, kaitiaki may charge for their time. This charge will be forwarded to the person/organisation requesting data access or may be paid by the research organisation who collected the data.

What are the rules around accessing and using the data?

If granted access to data within the AGDR, the default stipulations are for no commercial gain and no sharing of data. For situations involving potential commercial applications, kaitiaki/iwi are welcome to explore the possibility of benefit-sharing in exchange for data access. Other stipulations include conditions such as acknowledgement of kaitiaki for allowing data access. Kaitiaki may also impose further stipulations.

The AGDR is accessible at: https://data.agdr.org.nz/

For further information about the Aotearoa Genomic Data Repository, please contact: gasupport@nesi.org.nz

Both NeSI and GA receive funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and the establishment of the AGDR has been paid for as part of the Bioinformatics project within GA, which is tasked with delivering infrastructure to support genomic research in NZ.

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