An organisation working to increase the number of Maori in the health sector has launched a resource kit to inform people about the role of kaumatua in the community.
The booklet called "Puna o te Ora" produced by Te Rau Matatini outlines how effective elders bridge the cultural divide between people, whanau and health and social services.
Te Rau Matatini's Lucy Bush says kaumatua bring a great deal of wisdom, or matauranga, and they will always be treated with the respect they deserve.
The booklet aims to challenge people in the health sector to use senior Maori figures wisely so their expertise is used by officials and filters back through to whanau.
