In Aotearoa New Zealand, the government has set a target for the country to become predator-free by 2050, largely as a response to the threat of extinction that introduced mammals pose to native birds. Current pest management tools lack the scalability required to reach pest eradication; thus, new technologies are being explored through public research funding, including controversial techniques such as gene drive. While the need to listen to Māori perspectives on genetic technologies is broadly recognised, the Treaty relationship between government and Māori demands more, including attention to rangatiratanga (autonomy for Māori) and tikanga (Māori customary protocols). A ‘social licence to operate’ is argued to be key to getting public support for such technologies, but is that consistent with a Māori approach? To address this question, we gathered Māori perspectives on novel biotechnological controls for pest wasps through three distinct studies. Study participants included tertiary students, businesses, and spiritual or religiously affiliated groups. All participants drew from their identities as Māori people to help identify their position on these issues. Their perspectives on issues of consent and Social Licence suggest a preference for processes based upon rangatiratanga. Participant perspectives were also organised according to a take utu ea decision-making framework. This exercise suggests that this framework continues to be a relevant and useful contribution to how biotechnology discussions are framed. Rangatiratanga and tikanga are underlying considerations for Māori in relation to novel biotechnologies, and, if recognised more widely, have potential to transform conservation biology in Aotearoa New Zealand.

There is a global need for novel, next-generation technologies and techniques to manage pest species. We review work on potential step-changing technologies for large landscape (>1000 hectares) pest management of social Vespula wasps. We also review Māori perspectives on these controls to gauge social and cultural acceptability to research, test and use of novel controls. Approaches discussed are the use of gene silencing (RNAi) and gene drives (CRISPR-Cas 9) involving genetic modification, which has potential for pest control but vary in feasibility, cost, benefits and off-target risks. RNAi may be better suited for wasp control in high-value cropping systems due to scaling inefficiencies. Gene drives offer potential for large-scale control but would require legislative and wide social deliberation due to their status as genetic modification. Both RNAi and gene drives will require consultation with tangata whenua. Māori interest groups agreed that exotic wasps must be controlled and expressed aversion to non-targeted traditional control methods. We present a diversity of opinions in parallel with scientific research underscoring the need for continued dialogue with Māori. Novel biotechnological controls must satisfy a broad range of social and cultural criteria, receive regulatory approval, along with being demonstrated as safe, selective, and cost-effective.