A Māori researcher says Māori distrust of pakeha-model health research is an obstacle to advancing Māori health objectives.
Nursing educator Misty Edmonds, of Ngā Puhi and Tūwharetoa, says that distrust is not unwarranted, as Māori health research is not the same as research done for Maori.
She says it can focus on statistics rather than outcomes – and that’s something she and partner Jason Turuwheua, a bio-engineer at the University of Auckland, are working to change through their venture Iwi United Engaged.
“I don’t feel that we can say that research has been useful for Maori, because if it was we wouldn’t have the disparaties we’ve got – and the gaps between non-Maori and Maori wouldn’t be as big as it is. So I think that this space is a really good place, where we can influence advancing Maori health,” Ms Edmonds says.
