The Variome Project is led by Genomics Aotearoa from the University of Otago in collaboration with other Māori researchers and health providers, including Ngāti Porou Hauora. The purpose is to work with participants to safely assemble a collection of genetic variations present in the genomes of people with Māori ancestry (such a collection is called a ‘variome’).

Assembling this ‘reference collection’ is important to ensure that genetic tests now used in a wide range of healthcare will work properly and are appropriate for people with Māori ancestry. The genetic uniqueness of Māori has not been a consideration in many tests in use today, and as a result it is unknown how useful they are. The Variome will be protected and its use regulated by a steering group drawn from communities who have contributed to the project.