The Families Commission has appointed its first full-time kaihono or senior adviser for cultural development.
The commission speaks for families and whanau, to promote a better understanding of family issues by government agencies and the community.
Chief executive Paul Curry says the kaihono plays a key role in the commission's work, which has a strong whanau and rangatiratanga programme with a focus on whanau success.
Hohepa Patea, who's taking on the new job, was formerly project manager for the national Maori health workforce development organisation Te Rau Matatini.
He's excited with his new role and says it's critical that the commission's programmes empower whanau.
