Te Kete o Karaitiana Taiuru (Blog)

Dangerous game of DNA testing for Maori

Using scenario and future planning techniques: I will discuss how DNA testing to prove how Māori you are, to identify your ancestry via DNA testing, or the more recent issue of New Zealand school teachers being offered free DNA testing kits by National Geographic Genographic project to help pupils learn about evolution , has a number of potential problems for Māori.

My Latest DNA post Expert Maori Cultural Commentary to the Law Commission DNA Recommendations

Fact: when you give your DNA to DNA testing services, you also give away the DNA of all of your relatives past, present and future.

Some Māori media have been raising the old racist question of “how Māori are you” which has lead to a popular trend of having DNA tested. Potential problems for Māori include, but are not limited to: profiling, empowering governments to deny Māori treaty claims and tribal membership criteria, DNA being stolen or sold, police/state profiling and health insurance profiling. As technology evolves, the technology to bring tipuna and extinct animals back to life again and Māori designer babies by for non Māori.

 

DNA testing

In recent times, it is becoming more common to provide a saliva test to send to an overseas company who will then identify your DNA. The sacred whakapapa in our bodies that the western world refer to as DNA is being shipped overseas and stored by international staff who have no awareness of tikanga and probably have never heard of Māori. Somewhere overseas in a laboratory among many other bodily fluids from many other cultures and religions, a stranger is extracting our whakapapa from Māori bodily fluids and storing them in conditions we are not aware of. The DNA from the living will be stored indefinitely with the dead.

 

Whakapapa

As Māori, we identify to our tribal ancestral identities, to people and land, iwi and hapu via whakapapa. Traditionally large aspects of whakapapa is kept secret within the family to avoid outsiders claiming family connections to claim land, hunting and fishing rights among other family and hapu and iwi benefits. Up until recently, the biggest threat to whakapapa was people sharing their genealogical charts and tipuna on the Internet and with non Māori organisations. Such actions allowed anyone to access the whakapapa and learn it running risks that fraudulent viewers could adapt and use someone else’s genealogy against the family and individuals.

 

Profiling

Corporations could study DNA based on ethnicity and find racial vulnerabilities for specific food types, colors and various other commercial goods. This in turn could be used to target individuals for advertising, employment prospects and in extreme cases perhaps ability to enroll at various schools.

 

Risk of hacking

As with anything that is digital and electronic, it risks being hacked. We have seen WikiLeaks and the media reports on international cyber threats, that world governments use cyber warfare and cyber defenses which means that any system is vulnerable to being hacked. This makes the DNA database a target of being hacked for commercial gain, intellectual stimulation of by anti Indigenous hate groups. If we look at history and that of Hitler and consider the potential issues if there was a world wide DNA database.

 

DNA for Sale

DNA that is being stored overseas is vulnerable to a number of risks including being shared with and sold to third parties without consent of the person the DNA was provided by. In 2012 Ancestory.com purchased private DNA company Sorenson Database consisting of over 100,000 DNA samples and familial pedigrees from donors around the world. Despite Sorenson’s terms and conditions stating that the samples would not be shared without the donor’s consent. There is a detailed plain English explanation of the Terms and Conditions of Ancestory.com called “Setting the Record Straight.

 

Tribal membership criteria

To be legally recognised as a Native American requires statutes and proof of blood quantum or DNA testing. Native American individuals who want to register as a tribal member must do so with a federally recognised tribe (controlled by the United States federal agency the Bureau of Indian Affairs). Applicants are then required to meet each tribes own criteria which can discriminate based on blood quantum, tribal affiliates or genealogy. Cohen (1942) asserts, the ability of an American Indian tribe to determine its own membership is limited only by the various statutes of Congress defining the membership of certain tribes for purposes of allotment or for other purposes, and by the statutory authority given to the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate a final tribal roll for the purpose of dividing and distributing tribal funds”.

Blood quantum is a colonial definition of Native Americans and was first introduced in Virginia in the early 18th Century as a means of restricting the rights of anyone deemed to be more than 50% Native American, the term only became widespread after the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (Sandefur, Rindfuss, Cohen, & National Research Council . Committee on, 1996). The issue with blood quantum is that it could see widespread removal of Native Indian rights and recognition due to miscegenation children.

Individuals enrolled in federally recognized tribes also receive a Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood (CDIB) authorized by OMB Control Number 1076-0153 (referred to as a CDIB) from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, specifying a certain degree of Indian blood, i.e., a blood quantum. The Bureau of Indian Affairs uses a blood quantum definition—generally one-fourth Native American blood—and/or tribal membership to recognize an individual as Native American (Renewal of agency information collection for certificate of degree of indian or alaska native blood (CDIB). (2014).

In New Zealand Māori identify as being of Māori descent by whakapapa and legally under New Zealand Statutes which generally only requires ancestry or whakapapa as the main criteria to define who is a Māori. This is comparative to the traditional Māori definition of whakapapa (Hudson, Ahuriri-Driscoll, Lea, & Lea, 2007)

The New Zealand statute definition of Māori is broad and inclusive which will allow anyone to register as Māori if they identify as being Māori or a descendant which is not necessarily by DNA.

Examples of statute definitions of Māori include:

  • “Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 Māori Land Act 1993: Māori means a person of the Māori race of New Zealand; and includes a descendant of any such person.”
  • “Māori Trust Boards Act 1955: Māori means a person belonging to the aboriginal race of New Zealand; and includes any descendant of a Māori”

If the New Zealand statutes were amended to say that a percentage of blood quantum and or DNA is required to identify as being Māori, and if Iwi began the same process, this would quickly discriminate Māori and traditional whakapapa. We would hear arguments that one person claims to be 100% Māori while another person is only 10% so they are not eligible to be Māori. The immediate issue is that all Māori will then be forced to have children with other Māori of a high blood quantum to avoid a Māori couple having a child who is not legally Māori, similar to the case of Native Americans. The more Māori who have their DNA tested, the more possible this will become.

 

The following sections are worst case future scenarios based on world historical events and current/future trends.

 

Police/State profiling and discrimination

In the not too distant future profiling of DNA looking for the so called “warrior gene” or perhaps a gene that could predict abusive people could become a reality. In order for the state and police to reduce crimes Maori could be profiled and sent to rehabilitation prior to any crime being committed, but merely on the fact that they have a gene.

In one reported case, American Police subpoenaed Ancerstory.com for DNA samples of a family to assist the police to identify an historic murder case. In New Zealand Police bias is a documented fact and well known fact to many innocent Māori and minority people. Combined with the fact that Māori have the highest statistics for crime this would also logically make Māori high risk to have their own DNA and their family DNA subpoenaed by law enforcement agencies in New Zealand.

 

Health Insurance profiling

Insurance companies don’t already have all the information they require to make calculated decisions. They want to know about pre-existing conditions to remove the calculated risk they make. The larger mass of DNA available to health insurance companies, makes for better training data to predict the likelihood of a certain condition. Maori could be charged higher premiums not because of an existing condition, but that because a condition in the heritage. Statistically Maori are prone to diseases such as diabetes, gout and heart failure. A simple DNA test or criteria that you must have a DNA in order to obtain health insurance could be bias against Maori.

 

Ethnic cleansing

Overseas civil wars between majority and minorities are all too common. Dictatorships do in-despicable acts to eliminate minorities. Mass DNA testing could allow military weapon developers to create biological weapons that specifically targeting a race by discharging a weapon in a populated area and not harming one race, but the other.

Historical actions by governments to eliminate Indigenous Peoples is well documented in many countries and is still common for dictatorships to try and eliminate minority cultures via civil war using weapons such biological weapons.

 

Medical malice

It is feasible to suggest a mass sterilization program could be created that only effected a specific kind of DNA. A study by the U.S. General Accounting Office found that 4 of the 12 Indian Health Service regions sterilized 3,406 American Indian women without their permission between 1973 and 1976 and other research suggests this was a common issue from the 1960’s and 1970’s. There was also wide spread causes in Canada as recently as 2008.

 

Risks of designer baby’s

This topic of designer baby’s has been speculated for sometime. I suggest that in the future there would be nothing to stop a non Maori couple seeking a designer Maori baby for artificial insemination that was genetically modified to be more like the host parents.

 

Bringing back to life tipuna

Revitalizing the woolly mammoth via DNA and gene recreation has several projects around the world including at Revive & Restore Genetic rescue for Endangered and extinct species (Havard University) where Professor George Church has inserted woolly mammoth genes into Indian elephant cells using CRISPR technology. If scientists can bring an extinct pre historic animal back to life, then in my opinion recreating a human or even an historic iwi is not out of the question.

 

Summary

DNA testing can be a novel way to find out who you are. But Māori and others need to consider the future of technology and sciences and the possible impacts on their family now and in the future.

DISCLAIMER: This post is the personal opinion of Dr Karaitiana Taiuru and is not reflective of the opinions of any organisation that Dr Karaitiana Taiuru is a member of or associates with, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

45 responses to “Dangerous game of DNA testing for Maori”

  1. Ilana Signal Avatar
    Ilana Signal

    I think a few of your thoughts are dead on, but a few are taking things a bit far.

    I looked this up because I was wondering about people who have lost their iwi, would it be possible to reconnect using DNA test? But I don’t know if DNA test are able to give you that kind of middle level of detail between genetics and whanau

    1. Peter Avatar
      Peter

      Hi Ilana
      I would like to know the same thing. Can anyone tell us whether a DNA test can identify the iwi (singular or plural) someone comes from?

      1. karaitiana Avatar
        karaitiana

        Short answer to that is no.

        1. Amba Sepie Avatar
          Amba Sepie

          Actually, it can – and there are many, many people who are adopted or without iwi who are using a mix of DNA testing and search angels (people who help build up family trees) to reconnect them with their whakapapa. The top DNA matches show very clearly who the other willing testers are, and can link someone to their extended whanau. It is a lot of work. The histories which once might have helped are dying out with the old people.

          What we desperately need is less stigma around DNA testing because the state of disrupted whanau is the result of colonial conditions. Though the cultural imperatives may raise questions over tikanga, and rightly so, nothing is as soul destroying as not knowing one’s iwi and lost whanau. In an ideal world, it would not be necessary, but these are not ideal times.

          Those of us who work with DNA to reconnect whanau need the help of Maori to test, moreso, to be WILLING to test, so we can help them find their lost relatives – without DNA we would have nothing to go on.

          This article doesn’t really help decrease this stigma for the actual human beings who need this technology.

          1. karaitiana Avatar
            karaitiana

            A few inaccuracies with your post Amba, that could give people false hope.
            While it is true you can find relatives on DNA testing sites, this does not tell you who your Iwi is. That is scientifically impossible unless you connect to a full sibling or biological parent who have stated their iwi online. Genealogy Angels from my knowledge also lack many of the intimate knowledge of tikanga and Māori families especially with whangai.

            You mention you work with DNA. I looked at you CV online and checked by networks and I could not see any proof or substantial work with DNA and or tikanga? It would be good to chat face to face and get a good idea of your thinking.

            Tikanga wise, you are promoting DNA testing and a colonial view of ownership without allowing people full disclosure of the issues.

            I am presenting to the Science weekend on DNA and Tikanga this Saturday. If you are there, I would enjoy discussing this with you.

        2. Terry Ambler Avatar
          Terry Ambler

          To get a definitive answer we need to ask a DNA expert,otherwise in this case we have opposite views from non DNA experts

  2. Jonathan Barlow Avatar
    Jonathan Barlow

    I get the feeling you are actually scared of the truth about your history.

    1. karaitiana Avatar
      karaitiana

      Not at all Jonathan. I am fortunate enough to have centuries of genealogy and generations of land marks in our country, that confirm my long history and identity.

      1. Simon Avatar
        Simon

        What about those of us who are less fortunate than you? I was adopted at birth and have no knowledge of my whakapapa due to it being a closed adoption. My only tool available is DNA. I can’t simply wish for it to appear in front of me. Every time someone looks at me they view me as maori. I just want to feel like one the inside and out. I know that there is much more to it than that, but I yearn to know where I come from. In my research with data, I cherish and honour my tupuna, every-time I mention or think of them. Have I grown up in an environment that this has been instilled in me? No, but I feel it, and want to identify with whanau more than I can express in words.

        I agree that DNA comes with it’s dangers (that you have stated). We do however have to be considerate of those who were absolutely cast aside with colonial adoption policies that were prevalent in past days.

        1. June Hearne Avatar
          June Hearne

          Just a comment from me regarding DNA. Most of us have a test to see our ethnicities and connect to other relatives. More for fun really. However, there is a more sinister side as you can read about. It can be used for good or bad. As technology develops, who knows what information we have sitting out there in the form of our DNA. I have read about CeCe Moore who is a genealogy detective who uses DNA to solve cold murder cases. She has also solved problems when bones are dug up in past war zones in Europe. The DNA can be extracted from the bones and entered into databases. The DNA can be matched with living people and through family trees the identity of the dead soldier can be known. That can lead to the remains being repatriated and a Christian burial held. It’s a personal choice to have this done. Unless you commit a crime and it is mandatory. I remember the case of a young girl who went missing in Hawkes Bay. Later found dead on the beach. Sexually assaulted. This was before DNA analysis was possible. However, police kept the traces of semen from the perpetrator on their files. Many years later this brutal murderer was identified and apprehended. Thanks to DNA analysis.

    2. Rebecca Briggs Avatar
      Rebecca Briggs

      I agree. I’ve been reading The Lore of the Whare-wānanga. The translated stories of Maori elders in part 2 are very revealing. Written in 1913 these Maori were about 80 years old at that time. They had no agenda and just spoke the simple truths.

  3. David George Avatar
    David George

    I came up with >1% pacific islander… seems to be from Ao-NZ.
    Recent innovation exclude Hawaii, Tonga and Samoa…
    I can see where this has come from in my family tree- the most likely source is in North Canterbury.
    He kaikorero au, he kaiwaiata, he kaikarakia… have always regarded myself as a full blooded Maori,
    even though I do not look like the typical Maori. Call my tribe Kaki Whero. I say, regarding DNA, ka tu tonu- bring it on!

    1. June Hearne Avatar

      DNA evidence can stop people lying about their ethnicity.

  4. Celia d Avatar
    Celia d

    These arguments, are a bit fanciful. Nurture has as much to do with nature, we are simply animals. DNA weapons can target tongue curlers vs non curlers just as much as any other trait, race is completely irrelevant. Indigenous to earth, that’s about all the future worries we require. Unless you dislike diversity which weakens a species if it is lacking. Family history fraud, well thats a right laugh. How many waka arrived, its always stated first. Luckily, very easily sorted. USB sequencing dongles now exist, no big business involved and each iwi can store their own identities to prove membership back to originals. Dna isn’t everything and hardly something to be afraid of, especially the amount everyone leaves around wherever they go.

    1. karaitiana Avatar
      karaitiana

      A little misleading and perhaps fanciful.

      Family history fraud and issues is an ongoing issue with Native Americans and First Nations with blood quantum policies.

      DNA testing can not differentiate Iwi and people from the first waka. Again, this has been constantly mentioned in the media with Native Americans and First Nations.

      DNA testing is a multi billion dollar industry. Those dongles were not made from a volunteer organisation, they are commercial and targeted.

      Yes, we do leave DNA everywhere, but that DNA is not being tested and tracked?

      1. Toosick Avatar
        Toosick

        Thank you for all the information….I had been thinking of these kinds of activities happening to a persons DNA. As DNA can be sourced from different body fluids I wonder what else is being stored for these purposes and misused. When my friend told me that she had sent in her DNA to get tested and had told me that she was 85% Maori I began to feel like I needed to see how Maori I was and then I thought, no….my mother is Maori, both her parents were Maori, my dad is Irish and I have always thought of myself as a half caste….50/50……my Maori side tells me to relax it will all work out and my Irish side says get a good education so you can! At the end of the day when we go right back to the beginning……we are all part of the same family, Gods in embryo.

      2. Whaea Avatar
        Whaea

        Tēnā koe Karaitiana,

        Could you please elaborate re your comment that DNA testing can not differentiate iwi and people from the first waka?

        In our experience and that of others, DNA testing at the main companies – Ancestry, My Heritage, Family Tree DNA and or 23andMe, can reliably match parents, children, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc to each other.

        If a whānau who know their whakapapa, hapū, iwi etc have DNA tested and someone who doesn’t know their whakapapa tests and shows as a close DNA match to this whānau who have tested, one can deduce from the results they are a close relative and share the same or very similar whakapapa and certainly the same hapū, iwi, etc.

        If enough sufficiently closely related whānau have tested, the previously unknown person can be accurately placed in the whānau whakapapa, eg as a grandchild of such and such couple.

        If all potential parents for the tester, eg all children of the identified grandparents, have passed on then perhaps the exact child who is the parent of the previously unknown whānau member will never be identified.

        However if a child of all the potential parents is tested to see if they show as a half-sibling or as a cousin then the parent may still be able to be identified – if the tester shows as cousin match then their parent is ruled out as a parent of the previously unknown whānau member.

        Either way, one can still be certain of the grandparents or perhaps great-grandparents, depending on the generation and who has tested, and thus people can be united with their whānau and learn their whakapapa.

        So I would say that in this way iwi and waka and other whakapapa may be identified via DNA testing. The results are of course dependent on close whānau having also DNA tested.

        Thanks for your thoughts,

        Whaea

        1. T. Wehipeihana Avatar

          Kiaora

          If a Pakeha man has kids to a previous relationship(Pakeha woman. And then has another relationship with a maori woman and she has kids to the pakeha man. Its very clear that the previous kids do not whakapap to the maori Iwi or Hapu.

          Naku noa, na T Wehipeihana

          1. Karaitiana Avatar
            Karaitiana

            Tautoko!

  5. Pita Avatar
    Pita

    Interesting comments all round – My wife and I recent sent away our DNA samples and are not expecting results back until mid-April – our youngest daughter had hers tested and it came back 30% Maori – which from what we know is far too high – picking that DNA testing currently is identifying the race, but maybe incorrect percentage wise? – the problem is, my mother was illegitimate – her father a boy from Tuahiwi, with no name, there is no trace of him or his connections – maybe DNA will link us to his extended family – we feel disappointing that we do not know our full whakapapa? – nāku noa, nā, Pita

    1. Rebecca Briggs Avatar
      Rebecca Briggs

      I’m a bit late replying here but keep in mind that a child inherits 50% of the father’s dna and 50% of the mothers dna. So the DNA test is only going to show some of the full picture. So if (for example) 80% of my father’s DNA were Irish my DNA test might show I’m 12% Irish but my sisters dna test might show she’s 37% Irish. I hope this makes sense.

  6. Patric Tutaki Avatar
    Patric Tutaki

    Very interesting research you’ve done
    Based on the your findings there would seem to be more negative than positive outcomes
    It seems DNA can be used for good or bad
    DNAs not the problem those who are controlling it are and they are most certainly humans and humans don’t have a very good track record when it comes to destructive information
    I agree be very wary of those who champion the cause for dna testing

  7. Gary David Sykes Avatar
    Gary David Sykes

    Hi Karaitiana,
    Interesting article, I understand what you are pointing out, but agree with another commentator, that it is
    those that are in control that need to be under scrutiny.
    Now my story, age 71, Have considered myself Pakeha, have many Maori friends, played Marae Rugby on Sundays.
    Then recently my DNA results inform me I am 25% Polynesian, this was inline with my sisters recent results also.
    With the help of others with high DNA readings matching, we were able to narrow down who our Grandfather was. We now have a connection to Whanau that prior to DNA was not available.
    I am also very proud to have Maori as my Ethnicity, but are also sad that my Grandmother and Mother kept a massive secret from us as a family.
    And as it turns out the family who we thought our mothers de-facto father was from shows no DNA connections.

    1. Pure Pango Avatar
      Pure Pango

      Kia ora Karaitiana – great article applying ‘critical consciousness’ needed in these trepid times with hidden agenda’s.

      @ Gary Sykes; you’re about the same age as my dad – he was born in Akaroa, raised Pakeha. He didn’t know he was Maori either until he married a Maori women from the North. His father in-law (My koro) had that inner sensing he was Maori – So, my dad researched his genealogy to discover the reason he didn’t know he was Māori was a) his mother was racist and it wasn’t fashionable to be married to a Maori in those days – although my grandfather was fair with blue eyes – he was not allowed to acknowledge being Maori. b). My grandfather and brother became orphans – thus raised by an English aunt in Christchurch. So, maybe you might have a story similar explaining why no one told you about being Māori growing up? Just a humble thought…

  8. Wiki Peck Avatar
    Wiki Peck

    How about, we leave our DNA 🧬 testing alone, I can remember one Papa, completed his whakapapa, and was horrified, mortified….he refused to divulge nothing more than invest…

    My own Whakapapa, is upsetting, to the extent that on both my parents, (maternal Ngati Whatua raua Taranaki), & (Paternal Taranaki Raua Ngati Apa) they were “sexual victims” to British Colonists, or Whalers 1830. That’s a double whammy for me….but I will leave my DNA, exactly where it should be….

    1. Don Hutton Avatar

      What is the specific evidence that they were “sexual victims” to these allegedly awful people? There are countless examples of deep, loving relationships between Maori and early European arrivals producing much loved children in following generations to this day. The stories of these folk are an integral part of their family proud history and our nation’s story in the past 260 years. Knowing your DNA can be a great help in enriching one’s knowledge of family. I was very cautious about having mine done because of the very suspicions expressed throughout this discussion. It took 20 years for them to be allayed so I didn’t rush into it. The top 4 matches for me and my wife are with “new” relations who had no knowledge of “where they came from” and are now very happily part of a large whanau with roots in and with many cultures. DNA can be a uniting tool.

      1. Karaitiana Avatar
        Karaitiana

        Thanks for taking the time and effort to reply Don. I appreciate it.

        You are correct that there were many loving relationships. There were also many relationships to conform to the British rule and societal norms as well as many that were forced. The later is found in many oral stories, archives etc. To deny there was no violence is to deny history.

        Congratulations on your DNA test and it is great to hear you have a new and large whanau.

        I also agree that DNA can be a uniting tool if used and future proofed it will be a greater tool. My PhD thesis looks at many of these issues in great depth seeking a balance.

        Nga mihi e matua.

  9. Dave Avatar
    Dave

    Hi to all. Not sure if anybody will read this but here goes…

    I sent a sample away to AncestryDNA a few years ago as there was always the suspicion in my family that my Dad’s mum was Ngati Mutunga. Some sort of whangai when she was young (early 1900s). But obviously never talked about, and I only became interested when a third party mentioned the connection to me.

    The test showed standard white European heritage, zero Maori or Pacific Island. I’m happy to be whatever heritage I am, but wanted to know just how accurate AncestyDNA is and how easy it would be for it to miss any Maori gene.

    My thought is that, because compared to other cultures the number of Maori is still low, there isn’t enough information on Maori gene yet but I’d be interested in what other people know.

    Dave

    1. whaea Avatar
      whaea

      Kia ora Dave,

      Ancestry DNA’s reporting of Polynesian ethnicity is considered to be highly reliable.

      There are a few possibilities:

      your father’s mother was not “full” Māori herself. I agree with Karitiana re the problematic usage of blood quantum terms, however in genealogy these terms and percentages etc are used as a kind of shorthand to refer to or indicate how many grandparents or great-grandparents etc were Māori.

      If you had one great-great-great-great grandparent who was “100%” Māori (ie had no non-Māori whakapapa) then you are only likely to have 1% Polynesian at Ancestry on average and it is entirely possible you would show no Polynesian ethnicity as you might not have inherited this particular DNA from your father. One only inherits 50% of each parent’s DNA.

      Even with one great-great-great Māori grandparent your expected Polynesian ethnicity would only be 3%, so again a high chance you just didn’t inherit any of that DNA.

      It is always recommended to test the eldest generation for this reason as their DNA is closer to that of the ancestors and more likely to reveal such connections. Another option is to test siblings as all siblings (except identical twins) will have different ethnicity results as each descendant inherits a random 50% of their parents’ DNA.

      One aspect of DNA that doesn’t change over time (or rather changes very slowly) is the mitochondrial (mtDNA) DNA passed from mother to child and the Y DNA passed from father to son.

      If your father tested mtDNA, his mtDNA would be that of his mother’s, mother’s mother’s etc. Regardless of the generation or passing of time, if his mother descended from a direct Māori/Polynesian female line, this would show in the reported haplogroup even if he did not show any % Polynesian ethnicity as all Māori (pre-contact) are believed to have had the mtDNA haplogroup B4a1a1+.

      Similarly for males, all Māori men (pre-contact) had a Melanesian or Asian origin Y DNA haplogroup which are distinct from European groups.

      Other possibilities are that your father’s birth mother doesn’t descend from who you/she thought she did. Testing cousins and looking at who matches who can help you confirm your biological tree matches your “paper” tree – that is the tree according to birth, death and marriage records and or oral history.

      DNA test results often reveal unexpected surprises particularly on the paternal line so it is important to be mindful of that when encouraging or asking others to test.

      Kanaka Kalani Mondoy is considered a world expert on Polynesian DNA. He has produced this presentation: https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=2BB2ADEBED58EA7C!229&ithint=file%2cpptx&app=PowerPoint&authkey=!AIzfgAdYZaG51Ow

      and is also admin of the Polynesian DNA Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/605508099482290/

      You might be interested in joining the group Dave and having a read of previous posts and the info in the files.

      Mauri ora,

      Whaea

      There is a lot of info in the files.

      1. Frances Cunliffe Avatar

        Tēnā kōrua Whaea & Karaitiana,

        Karaitiana, I just want to acknowledged the helpfulness of your article (and the comments) for me personally. Have you completed your PhD?

        Whaea, the link you sent from Kalani Mondoy has expired (makes sense given the years past) but I have found some interviews that are really interesting, thank you. Great passion there.

        I have recently tested and come back full European, however certain areas that I know I have reasonably direct heritage (Italy) hasn’t shown up – this may be because I don’t fully comprehend the science. I am curious about my cultural history for many reasons as related to what I look like, experiences in life, and how I have been treated.

        Kia ora,
        Frances

  10. Whaea Avatar
    Whaea

    Tēnā koe Karaitiana,

    Thank you for presenting your perspective on this issue of DNA testing.

    I am interested in what your whaakaro are re. Māori, who were “adopted out” or who for some other reason have no knowledge of their whakapapa and no other way of finding it, choosing to DNA test in order to find their birth whānau and thus their whakapapa.

    Tens of thousands of Māori and non-Māori in and from Aotearoa have now tested at Ancestry and or My Heritage, Family Tree DNA and or 23andMe, so the chances of finding one’s birth family are fairly high.

    Would you advise Māori in search of the whānau not to DNA test and thus never know their whakapapa?

    Or does the need/desire/right to know one’s whakapapa trump the problems inherent in DNA testing?

    Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

    Ngā mihi,

    Whaea

    1. Pekahou Watson Avatar

      Kia Ora
      Just an idea to solve this problem. I believe we need DNA testing for the good and right reasons like for some people just need a single clue which will be through DNA testing to initiate the goal to find their roots, their whakapapa. A connection to Māori at least! For those of us who know we are Māori who have a whanau who know their iwi and their other iwi hapū maunga awa etc. Then you don’t need to test unless u need more information. Now the dangers of DNA testing which opened my eyes, thank you Kataraina, the possibility maybe probability of using crisper to bring back our ancestors, our Ariki our iwi!! That’s a possibility. I imagine my ancestors all the time. They are my inspiration my tipuna and I love them for purely who they were and what they did. They lived and died for us. But thinking and knowing scientist could find these certain genes and use them for whatever purpose they manifest is a dark kaupapa which I hope will never happen. So we need a solution because people will agree and will disagree having DNA testing we can’t stop that but maybe A solution to have testing at your own choice safely. Is to get tested from a Māori organisation Or controlled something regarding protecting our whakapapa our DNA from people with dark ideas. Where all samples of dna get laid to rest or destroyed but not that if u know what I mean. Untraceable once result and data is available. Our own Māori scientist or is that racist? I’m joking if it works with non Māori scientists that’s ok as long as it’s controlled, protected and secure. Our DNA stays here on our whenua and obtained by Māori and laid to rest by Māori, destroyed by Māori within our organisation once we have the data of any single person getting tested. The people that don’t get tested in this organisation and find out they have Māori I’m not sure what we can do there. I hope this is a good idea to expand on because regarless of the problem. People will and won’t get tested. Kiaora tatou

  11. Whaea Avatar
    Whaea

    Kia ora Pita,

    I hope your DNA results help you find your mother’s whānau.

    There are a number of groups on Facebook where members help each other in their search, eg Polynesian DNA (link below), NZ DNA Users Group, DNA Detectives Down Under, Using DNA for Genealogy – AU and NZ.

    Due to the relatively small founding population for Eastern Polynesians there are certain techniques that need to be used when looking at DNA match list results for those testers and or matches with Polynesian ethnicity. You will find some info about this in Kalani Mondoy’s presentation (link below).

    Hope this helps.

    Mauri ora,

    Whaea

    1. Amba Sepie Avatar
      Amba Sepie

      Kia ora Whaea,
      You are doing great work. Cultural healing comes in many forms doesn’t it? I’m with you all the way.
      Please, those seeking whanau, come on over!
      Amba

  12. Wayne Deuxberry Avatar
    Wayne Deuxberry

    Kia ora

    I was adopted into a Pākehā family, I am very Māori looking. I have no way of finding out my whakapapa, but my son goes to a bilingual school and is very interested in his waka Kapa Park, his mihi is very short. He has to say he s mihi every day at school and is more Māori looking than most. We are very keen to find out our whakapapa, we are wondering about a DNA test, it is an expense for our family, which provider do you recommend might be best?

    Nga mihi

    Matua w

    1. karaitiana Avatar
      karaitiana

      Kia ora,
      I am not sure which one you could use. But if you do, it will not identify your Iwi etc, but maybe who you are related to if others you are related to have done the same thing.

      Currently there are no markers to identify Māori.

      Best of luck with your journey.

    2. Whaea Avatar
      Whaea

      Kia ora Matua Wayne,

      Ancestry is the best place to test for anyone looking for whānau. There are sales on now. When your results come in you can transfer a copy of the raw data to MyHeritage and Family Tree DNA for free. So for the price of one test you get to be in three databases.

      You can join the Polynesian DNA Facebook group now for support and for help with interpreting your results: https://www.facebook.com/groups/605508099482290/

      Mauri ora.

    3. Whaea Avatar
      Whaea

      Kia ora Matua Wayne,

      Ka nui te mihi o te wā!

      Ancestry is always the best place for Māori who are interested in DNA testing to find whānau. This is because Ancestry has the largest database. Thousands of us Māori have DNA tested at Ancestry, so the chances of finding closely related whānau is high. Ancestry is also the most reliable for Māori in terms of ethnicity estimate and the reporting of the amount of DNA shared.

      When your results arrive you can download a copy of the raw data file and upload for free to MyHeritage and Family Tree DNA to be in those databases also. So you get in three databases for the price of one test.

      MyHeritage is currently the least reliable in terms of the matching algorithm but thousands of Māori have tested there and so it is still worth being in that database. MyHeritage is also the best place for finding whakapapa.

      There is a lot of info and help in the Polynesian DNA FB group (links above).

      Mauri ora.

      Nāku noa, nā whaea

  13. No Labels Avatar
    No Labels

    A multi billion dollar industry… for the one percenters to utilise in the ultimate control of humanity, no matter what race or creed. We are all human.

  14. ngaio Avatar
    ngaio

    the errors have and are being made
    we will have to deal with the negative impacts of our choices
    information can be used and abused

    the question I have is
    what are we doing to reproclaim the ownership of that which is stolen
    or used without approval

    digital information is not infallible and can be subject to lose and erasure
    the words we speak can shield or cut
    maori are not defenseless
    but many lack in understanding and few passion filled remain

    having worked with whakapapa myself
    im left only with the hope that karakia will speak life where i erred and give me a grace unearnt for the sake of all who share my DNA

    bless you for your words

  15. Lost Avatar
    Lost

    My Koro, my mums dad, has always told us that he was adopted out of his maori birth family when he was 5yrs old, to a pakeha family that changed his name. Those left of his birth family that possibly know anything deny his claim and nobody from either his birth or adopted families can or will tell us anything. My mother, sisters, cousins, children, we all just want to know who we are and who and where we come from. Other than dna sites how do we do that?

    1. Karaitiana Avatar
      Karaitiana

      Kia ora,
      In this case I think a DNA site is probably the only way.

  16. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    Kia ora

    Thanks for the time and energy spent on the original post and for those who have left comments.

    I am on a similar waka, my mother was adopted into a pākeha family in the 50s. We have no way to trace her whakapapa, I want to help heal the generational trauma in our whānau but keep meeting dead ends and DNA testing seems like the only way to help but I share similar fears around our DNA being held in foreign countries.

    Ngā mihi nui to all of you for sharing your whakaaro it has been very helpful to read. Sending aroha to those that are on similar journeys! X

  17. Steve Avatar
    Steve

    Interesting to read. My own situation is that according to Ancestry DNA I am approx 35% Jew, which I know is from my father’s side, and his father before.

    So what makes a Jew Jewish? Do I practice Judaism, no. Do I have a fairly Jewish nose? yes, thanks Dad, and Grandad. Am I Jewish by the traditional measure, that one’s mother is Jewish? Well no, see above. Can I be considered Jewish because I converted and I now follow the Torah, oh I would need a little operation? Well, no, I’ve never considered the former, and am not keen on the latter…

    So despite having more Jewish blood than many many “Jews”, truth be told I’m not Jewish

    But some human nature comes in… why would I want to be considered Jewish, what would my reasons be? In my case I started the Ancestry journey so I could give my children the option to know their heritage; what they do with it is up to them.

    For others, this is not the case. The would use their heritage for some kind of advantage. If this is the case with Māori I don’t know.

    https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2016/04/what-makes-a-jew-a-jew/624346/

  18. Alan Pattison Avatar
    Alan Pattison

    I believe that prisoners serving longer sentences have to provide DNA for record purposes. I suggest that this could be the basis for a study of those who consider themselves Maori. This would have to be ananymous, but the statistical analysis would be quite an insight into this issue.

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