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Advocates may be needed to make sure disabled Maori in Southland get better access to healthcare.
A University of Otago study has looked at issues for disabled Maori and their whanau in Murihiku.
It says say an advocate could accompany haua Maori to specialists to help them identify pertinent questions and get them answered.
Researcher Dr Brigit Mirfin-Veitch from the Donald Beasley Institute says people function better if they feel valued, connected and in touch, with a strong sense of self identity and self-worth.
She says while four out of five health organisations in the region provide staff with cultural training or plan to do so, only 38 percent said they included Maori in their development of policy.
She says many organisations did not fully understand their Treaty of Waitangi obligations and the importance of tikanga Maori practice for services provided to Maori.
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