Māori Becoming Peer Educators in Later Life: Impacts on Identity, Well-being, and Social Connectedness.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine ways that older Māori (New Zealand's Indigenous people) enhanced their ability to be peer educators and how this role impacted on their sense of purpose and well-being in later life.

Method: Kaupapa Māori and community-based participatory research principles guided the peer intervention involving 26 Māori kaumātua (older people 55 years and older) as peer educators (tuakana) for 121 other kaumātua (teina) facing transitions in later life. Each pair held up to 3 conversations; independent coders rated tuakana communication skills.

Kaumātua Mana Motuhake: peer education intervention to help Māori elders during later-stage life transitions.

Background: Aotearoa/New Zealand has a population that is ageing and there are challenges to health and social outcomes related to related to key life transitions (e.g., retirement, change in health conditions, loss of spouse).

Correlates of Health-Related Quality of Life for Māori Elders Involved in a Peer Education Intervention.

The purpose of this study was to identify social determinant and communication correlates of health-related quality of life for kaumātua (Māori elders) in New Zealand. A total of 209 kaumātua completed a self-report survey of self-rated health, physical/mental quality of life, spirituality, and a series of questions about social determinants (e.g.

Kaumātua Mana Motuhake: A study protocol for a peer education intervention to help Māori elders work through later-stage life transitions.

Background: The Aotearoa/New Zealand population is ageing and numerous studies demonstrate with this phenomenon comes increases in non-communicable diseases, injuries and healthcare costs among other issues. Further, significant inequities exist between Māori (Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa/New Zealand) and non-Māori around poor ageing and health. Most research addressing these issues is deficit oriented; however, the current research project takes a strengths-based approach that highlights the potential of kaumātua (elders) by asserting mana motuhake (autonomy, identity and self-actualisation).