Last updated: Tuesday, 2 December 2025 | Rātū, 02 Hakihea, 2025
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Development of a biodiscovery system in New Zealand
As part of the government’s Tōnui Māori work programme, we are developing policy to support a biodiscovery system. A key objective of this work is to create clear pathways to take innovations relating to taonga species and associated mātauranga Māori to commercial markets. This will be done in ways that are ethical and consistent with Te Tiriti o Waitangi | The Treaty of Waitangi and other relevant standards, such as the Nagoya Protocol, the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Treaty on Intellectual Property, and the Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (GRATK Treaty).
As part of this work we have undertaken targeted engagement with pakihi Māori, research experts and academia, science and innovation institutes, and industry representatives. We also continue to work with relevant government agencies to ensure our policy work is aligned with ‘on the ground’ experiences. We are particularly interested in those innovating taonga species and associated mātauranga Māori in global markets, including recognition of the relationship kaitiaki have with taonga species and associated mātauranga Māori.
In 2024, Te Puni Kōkiri represented New Zealand and played a lead role in negotiating and concluding the GRATK Treaty in Geneva, Switzerland. This Treaty sets an international standard for global Intellectual Property systems and genetic resources used in commercial biodiscovery. The next step is for New Zealand to consider becoming a Contracting Party to this Treaty.
Additionally, New Zealand has an interest in the Nagoya Protocol (a subsect agreement under the Convention of Biological Diversity) as both a user and provider of taonga species.
New Zealand’s indigenous flora and fauna attract a high level of domestic and international interest by researchers wishing to develop products such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and functional food products.
Decisions have not yet been taken as to whether New Zealand should sign up to the Nagoya Protocol. Our policy work may enable New Zealand to consider acceding to the Nagoya Protocol to align with international standards.
Related reading:
- WIPO mandate cab paper (proactive release)
- GRATK Treaty
- Ministry of Economic Development 2002 report on Bioprospecting in New Zealand
- Bioprospecting harnessing benefits for New Zealand : a policy framework discussion.
- $42 million investment for new Biodiscovery Platform pivotal milestone
Cultural intellectual property settings
Te Puni Kōkiri is exploring options to enable cultural intellectual property (IP) to be appropriately utilised across government and in key industries like tourism.
In partnership with the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, we continue to support the development of an international legal instrument protecting traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, and folklore at the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee (IGC).
The WIPO IGC is a key forum for focusing global efforts to establish inclusive, balanced, and effective intellectual property (IP) systems that enable the interests of member states, indigenous peoples, local communities, and other stakeholders.
A legal instrument would establish minimum global standards to prevent and minimise the misuse of indigenous knowledge associated with goods and services (e.g. enabling pathways to address fakes and forgeries).
We also work across government to provide support and advice on issues associated with cultural intellectual property.
Indigenous collaboration arrangements
The purpose of Indigenous Collaboration Arrangements (ICA) is to promote and facilitate the economic, social, cultural, and environmental advancements of indigenous peoples through relationship development, improved knowledge sharing, and stronger collaboration.
The ICAs formalise governments’ relationships and acknowledge a shared commitment to improving the lives and wellbeing of each country’s indigenous peoples, who play a pivotal role in the economic prosperity and wellbeing of their communities.
We are focused on ensuring indigenous-to-indigenous opportunities for economic development and enabling indigenous trade outcomes (e.g., supporting pakihi Māori to achieve export acceleration and diversification, while also advancing indigenous economic collaboration).