Lay summary
To ensure research translates into improvements in health outcomes and a closing of the equity gap, researchers must move beyond consultation to substantial and positive engagement with Māori communities and Māori governance. We want to work with key Māori stakeholders in our DHB to better understand what Māori view as their most important health needs, how our current research structures reflect these needs and what are the existing barriers to research for Māori. This relationship building will help us better align research within the Waikato DHB with Māori aspirations for lasting health improvement. We will use a co-design process working with key Māori stakeholders to help build a bottom up research framework for future equity driven research. We believe that this project will strengthen not only the wider DHB Research Framework but will also impact on the cultural responsiveness of the whole organisation.