Maurice Wilkins Centre launches strategy for Pacific peoples

The Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery Pacific Strategy, Tautai fa’atonutonu folau – Take the lead, set the course was launched last month, 27 February, at the Cause Collective in Manukau.

The strategy is a framework to strengthen Pacific leadership, participation and excellence in biomedical research, while deepening collaboration with Pacific communities across Aotearoa. Co-created through extensive talanoa with Pacific researchers at all career stages, the strategy is structured around three interconnected pou: Tagata o le Moana (People), Fakatotolo (Research) and Kainga (Partnerships, Place and Relationality).

Community at the heart of the strategy

Professor Dave Grattan FRSNZ, Director of the Maurice Wilkins Centre, said recognising the central role of community for Pacific engagement is key. The Pacific strategy provides a commitment to Pacific leadership, partnership and excellence, and to ensure biomedical research delivers meaningful outcomes for Pacific peoples.

University of Auckland Associate Professor Shaun Lott, Deputy Director of the Maurice Wilkins Centre, said the strategy is designed to actively draw Pacific communities closer, to engage with the Centre’s work.

“This strategy is about bringing the work we do at the Maurice Wilkins Centre into the community, and ensuring community voices help shape the research agenda,” said Dr Lott.

“It's clear there is a strong opportunity for genuine dialogue and ongoing collaboration with Pacific communities.”

Affirming Pacific values and future leadership

Dr Ofa Dewes MNZM (Rotuma, Tonga, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Ngāti Porou), Senior Research Fellow at the University of Auckland (COMPASS), Research Director at The Cause Collective, and a member of the Maurice Wilkins Centre Research Leadership Forum, says launching the strategy was a significant collective milestone.

She was delighted that Pacific researchers, the Pacific community and the Cause Collective were able to come together to support the Maurice Wilkins Centre. 

“It's wonderful to have the support of our church ministers to take part in blessing our strategy. This is a commitment, to fulfil the promises we have stated,” said Dr Dewes.

“The strategy is a plan, and the next step for us is to put this plan to work."

She noted that many early career Pacific scholars were drawn to the field of metabolism, with the Maurice Wilkins Centre providing critical opportunities for Pacific peoples to build capacity and thrive in biomedical science.

During the Strategy launch and Fono, a number of Pacific researchers from around the motu presented their work, including virologist Dr Natalie Netzler (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Hauā, Sāmoa – Moto’otua, Falealili) from the University of Auckland.

Dr Netzler is currently leading a four year, $1.2 million Indigenous led research programme that brings together traditional medicinal knowledge and cutting edge virology, to identify new antiviral treatments for diseases such as dengue, zika and measles.

Her work, supported by a Mana Tūānuku Research Leadership Fellowship, is co-designed with Māori and Pacific partners to develop accessible, affordable antiviral therapies while advancing Indigenous knowledge sovereignty.