Kaumātua becoming peer educators had a positive impact on their health and wellbeing in a mixedmethods research study. Guided by kaupapa Māori and community-based participatory research principles, 26 Māori elders aged 55+ years were evaluated as peer educators for 121 kaumātua undergoing transitions of later life. Tuakana demonstrated strong communication skills and qualitative analysis revealed improvements in their sense of identity, wellbeing and social connectedness.