Lay summary
Over coming decades the number of Māori kaumātua will increase significantly across Tai Tokerau and the Waikato regions. This is reason for celebration. However, both of these regions have significant socio-economic issues that challenge positive health outcomes. As kaumātua populations grow, their greater dependency on resources and services throughout the country will also increase. This Project recognises the need to include the voice of kaumātua as central to urgent planning and development of strategies and policies to ensure the wellbeing of the growing number of older Māori. Our research examines intergenerational interdependence amongst Māori, continued engagement of older Māori within whānau, and their ongoing integration within wider communities. It seeks a more systematic understanding of how kaumātua understand kaumātuatanga, hauora, health and wellbeing, of their access to and uptake of health and community services, and of how to promote whānau and community responsibility for the health of kaumātua.