What is "kaumatua"

Kaumātua are elected tribal elders of either gender in a Māori community who have been involved with their whānau for a number of years. They are appointed by their people under the belief that the chosen elders have the capacity to teach and guide both current and future generations. Kaumātua must display a good knowledge of tikanga, history, and Te Reo; and their contribution must ensure that the mana of the whānau, hapū and iwi are maintained. Barlow (1994) refers to kaumātua as being the "keepers of knowledge and traditions of the family, sub-tribe and tribe". Although the term kaumātua is widely used to refer to male elders, male kaumātua are more correctly called koroua or koro, and female elders are called kuia.