16 June 2025
Alex Taylor
By email: [FYI request #31009 email]
Tēnā koe Alex
Official information request regarding equity in research centres
I refer to your request for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act)
dated 18 May
2025:
“I am writing to request information under the Official Information Act regarding
the commitments and actions of the Antarctic Research Centre, Ferrier Research
Institute, and Robinson Research Institute related to two important areas: equity
for women and their obligations to Te Tiriti o Waitangi within these
organizations.
Equity for Women:
a.
I would like to inquire about the representation of women in senior
leadership roles and as scientists within each of the research institutes,
particularly in comparison to those in entry-level or administrative/support
positions.
b.
What measures are being taken to promote gender equity in these positions
across the institutes?
c.
Additionally, please provide information on pay equity for women at each
institute, including any existing pay gaps and the steps being taken to
address them.
I would appreciate it if the results could be broken down by institute for clarity.
Obligations to Te Tiriti o Waitangi:
a.
Please provide details on how each of the mentioned research institutes
meets its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
b.
What specific initiatives or policies are in place to ensure that Māori
perspectives and interests are integrated into the research and operations of
each institute?
c.
How do these institutes engage with Māori communities and stakeholders in
their research activities?
d.
I would like to inquire about the number of Māori staff and students, as well
as the representation of Māori in senior leadership roles and as scientists
within each of the research institutes.”
Research Centres at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington utilise
University policies and procedures with regard to meeting their obligations to Te Tiriti o
Waitangi and equity for women. The Research Centres are part of the University group
and, as such do not usually have stand-alone policies or processes specific to their
organisations.
Equity for Women
The University is committed to continuous improvement in gender equity, as with other
aspects of equity, diversity, and inclusion. The promotion of gender equity within these
institutes is achieved using resources developed for the wider University group.
Utilising resources such as the University’s
Equity, Diversion and Inclusion Framework, the
Victoria University Wellington Gender Equity Plan, and the
Equal Opportunity
Guidelines, the University, including its Research Centres, aims to enable a vibrant,
creative, supportive and inclusive environment that encourages the recruitment,
development and retention of a diverse community of talented staff and students.
Information regarding the representation of women in senior leadership roles and as
scientists and entry-level or administrative/support positions within the research
institutes is attached.
Further information on the University’s commitment to an equitable work and study
environment is available
at https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/about/governance/equity-diversity-
and-inclusion/gender-equity-plan. The University had been working with the New Zealand Tertiary Education Union Te
Hautū Kahurangi O Aotearoa Incorporated (TEU); the New Zealand Public Service
Association Te Pūkenga Here Tangata Mahi Incorporated (PSA); the Tertiary Institutes
Allied Staff Association Incorporated (TIASA); and the other seven NZ Universities, about
a clerical and administration pay equity claim. In May 2025 the Government passed a
series of changes to the Equal Pay Act (1972) that resulted in the discontinuation of this
claim. Given this decision, no work was completed regarding pay gaps at the University,
including at research centres. Therefore, this aspect of your request is refused in
accordance with s18(d) of the Act as the information does not exist.
Obligations to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
As a university, we embrace the Treaty of Waitangi as one of our distinctive qualities. Te
Herenga Waka adopted its
Te Tiriti o Waitangi Statute in February 2019. The Tiriti
Statute centres aroun
d eight principles that are intended to help the University
community, including its Research Centres, give effect to the Tiriti principles in practical
and impactful ways and to enable Te Herenga Waka to realise opportunities under Te
Tiriti o Waitangi to further advance the University and contribute to the betterment of
New Zealand society. The University’s
Responsible Research Policy and
Human Ethics
Policy requires researchers to ensure that research conforms to the University’s Treaty of
Waitangi Statute.
Applications and contracts for research undertaken by the Research Centres often include
specific clauses around Mātauranga Māori or equity. For example, with proposals to the
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment's Endeavour Fund must give effect to the
Vision Mātauranga policy, “which aims to unlock the innovation potential of Māori
knowledge, resources, and people”.
The Royal Society also provide
s detailed guidance on incorporating Mātauranga Māori
through the Vision Mātauranga policy, particularly in the context of research funding like
the Marsden Fund. For European fun
ding, the Horizon Europe Programme Guide
outlines clear expectations for equity, diversity, and inclusion in research and innovation.
Te Herenga Waka’s Research Centres engage with Māori communities and stakeholders
in numerous ways including supporting collaborative research projects with various iwi
and hapu, and promoting initiatives such as the
Robinson Research Institute’s Tech
Bootcamps which aims to open up pathways to STEM careers for Māori and Pasifika
students. Specific information regarding how the Research Centres are meeting Te Tiriti
obligations in relation to their research is unique to each research project. As such, this
information cannot be provided without substantial research or collation. Therefore, this
aspect of your request is refused in accordance with s18(f) of the Act.
Information regarding the representation of Maori staff within the research institutes is
attached. Information regarding students associated with these Research Centres cannot
be made available without substantial research or collation. Therefore, this aspect of your
request is refused in accordance with s18(f) of the Act.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of the
decisions made regarding this request. Information about how to make a complaint is
available
at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact me at
[VUW request email]. Ngā mihi nui
Blair Doherty
Senior Advisor, Official Information and Privacy
Legal Services
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
