The Te Nohonga Kaitiaki guidelines apply to genomic research involving taonga species. Despite Te Tiriti o Waitangi affirming Māori rights over taonga, the application of these rights to biological samples and data has generally been overlooked within the sciences. The ease of access to genomic technologies has resulted in widespread proliferation of research, and increasing access for the scientific community as well as tertiary and secondary educational institutions. To date there has been little guidance in place to ensure that taonga species are being approached in a manner that upholds Treaty principles, or specific guidance on how this can be done effectively.