Te Roopu Rangahau

A nationwide, randomly selected panel of ~8,000 Māori adults — asking simple questions about health, daily life, and experiences. Data is governed by Māori and guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori data sovereignty.

Members are chosen in a special (random) way from the NZ Electoral Roll, so the group reflects Māori across Aotearoa.

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We ask simple questions about health, feelings, daily life and experiences. The project keeps control of the data with Māori and follows Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori data‑sovereignty rules.

The answers create strong Māori‑led data that can shape better services, policies and community plans. Te Ao Mārama Panel is a Māori-led, non-profit research resource. Any fees charged to organisations accessing data will help keep the panel strong and culturally safe, support participants with koha, and cover survey and data management costs. Your data won’t be sold for commercial use.

The results will be shared with health services, government and iwi. The answers will create strong Māori‑led data that can shape better services, policies and community plans.

The project keeps control of the data with Māori and follows Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori data‑sovereignty rules.

Phone 0800 449121 for support to help decide if you want to take part. Someone who is not part of the research can explain the study and answer any questions.

You will receive regular updates about the panel’s progress, key findings, and how your data contributes to improving Māori health and wellbeing

You will periodically get an invitation to complete a very short online survey. Each survey will take roughly 5 minutes.

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We use your email or phone number to send reminders.

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You may get a small thank‑you (for example, a gift card) when you finish some future surveys. It costs you nothing. You can ask us questions, get help, or leave the study any time. You can get support [provide link] to fill in the surveys if required. If you are unable to complete an online survey, other accessible

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Mana whakahaere
‍Te Ao Mārama Aotearoa Trust (TAMA) independently looks after the data.

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Rangatiratanga raraunga
‍You stay in charge of your data. We use it only with your clear yes.

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Whakawāteatanga
You can leave the study within 1 month after you give answers.

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Haumarutanga
Files stay on a secure New Zealand server. They are not linked to other systems or the open internet.

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Whakamahi anō
We will not link your data to anything else unless you say yes.

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Te whakakore raraunga
Named files are deleted after 10 years. Anonymous data is also deleted after 10 years.

We explain every question and how we use your data. It is free to take part. You may get a small thank-you gift after you finish answering some future surveys. If you change your mind about being involved, please phone or email us within 1 month. We will delete your answers if you want.

Looking ahead, the Panel will support ongoing investigations into health, wellbeing, and social factors, growing as a taonga for Māori communities and a vital source of insight for Aotearoa.

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This study has been approved by an independent group of people called a Health and Disability Ethics Committee (HDEC), who check that studies meet established ethical standards [Reference: 2025 FULL 21600].

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You can contact the health and disability ethics committee (HDEC) on:
Email: hdecs@health.govt.nz
Phone: 0800 400 569 (Ministry of Health general enquiries)

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We are committed to ensuring that every voice in our whānau is invited and respected — our research, resources and communications are designed with inclusion at their heart.

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On this page, you will find how we support meaningful participation — through bilingual content, easy-read formats, audio options, high-contrast design and multiple ways to engage — so that everyone can contribute with confidence.

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