Te Roopu Rangahau
Panel Information
Kia Ora
On this page, you can find out more information about the Te Ao Mārama panel.
Please take the time to learn more about the panel, including how the study data will be kept safe and shared to develop better services, policies, and community plans for Māori.
You can also find more information on how to access additional support.
Te Ao Mārama: Māori Health, Wellbeing & Social Survey Panel
The Study Summary can also be downloaded. The information is available in English and te Reo Māori.
If you want to know more about the research team, head to the About Us page.
Thank you for the part you play in ensuring Māori voices help build a healthier, brighter future for Māori.
Ngā mihi
A/Prof Tristram R. Ingham
(on behalf of the research team)
How it works
He aha te kaupapa?
What is the panel?
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.
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.
He aha i pai ai kia tūhono mai koe?
Why join & how will it help Māori?
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 456777 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.
Ka taea e au te kimi i ngā hua
Can I find out the results?
You will receive regular updates about the panel’s progress, key findings, and how your data contributes to improving Māori health and wellbeing
What we ask and how often
He aha ka mahia e koe?
What does being involved mean?
From time to time, we'll invite you to take part in an online survey. Most surveys take around 5–15 minutes to complete, depending on the survey and how much you choose to share.
We'll contact you using the method you selected when you enrolled to let you know when a new survey is available. We may also send a reminder while the survey is open.
Some surveys include a small thank-you, such as a gift card, to acknowledge your time and contribution.
Taking part is completely voluntary. You can ask questions, take a break from the panel, or leave the study at any time.
If you're unable to complete a survey online, please get in touch. We'll work with you to find a way to take part that meets your needs, whether that's completing the survey over the phone with our Panel Kaiāwhina or receiving a paper copy.
Privacy & Māori Data Kaitiakitanga
Ngā Tikanga Matatika
Ethics – how we keep you safe
Mana whakahaere
Te Ao Mārama Aotearoa Trust (TAMA) independently looks after the data.
Rangatiratanga raraunga
You stay in charge of your data. We use it only with your clear yes.
Whakawāteatanga
You can leave the study within 1 month after you give answers.
Haumarutanga
Files stay on a secure New Zealand server. They are not linked to other systems or the open internet.
Whakamahi anō
We will not link your data to anything else unless you say yes.
Te whakakore raraunga
Named files are deleted after 10 years. Anonymous data is also deleted after 10 years.
Ō manawapainga
Your rights
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.
What happens next? (Timeline)
Te tītiro whakamua
Looking ahead
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.
Contact and Support
Nā wai i whakae tēnei roopu
Who has approved this panel?
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].
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)
Te Whai Wāhitanga me te Urutau
Accessibility and Inclusion
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.
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.