Maori safe-sleeping device celebrates ten-year anniversary

14 June 2016

Maori safe-sleeping device celebrates its ten-year anniversary in Gisborne

Over the last decade rates of SUDI (Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy) have reduced by almost 30 percent with the most significant gains being made amongst Maori.

“We have made massive gains, but there is still a long way to go,” says Dr David Tipene-Leach from Whakawhetu – the national Maori SUDI (Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy) prevention programme.

“We can credit most of our success to the introduction of safe-sleeping devices like the wahakura and the associated safe sleeping messages.”

The wahakura is a Maori safe-sleeping device developed by the Nukutere Weavers’ Collective in 2005 and launched in Gisborne in 2006. The wahakura has a traditional forbear in the porakaraka, a similar pre-European structure slung from the rafters. The device enables parents to sleep more safely with their baby.

“The wahakura is a woven basket that creates a safe distance between baby and their parents in the bed. It was launched in 2006, and along with the plastic pepi-pod has been distributed to thousands of young parents around the country.”

A two-day Symposium is being convened in Gisborne to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of this remarkable Maori initiative.

“SUDI rates for the Gisborne-Tairawhiti area are very high,” National Manager Kathrine Clarke says.

“The national average for SUDI is 0.4 per 1000 births but for Gisborne-Tairawhiti the rate currently sits at 3.52 per 1000 births. We are delighted to see that the District Health Board has prioritised SUDI in its annual plan. Whakawhetu also had a dedicated resource in the area and we are hopeful that with targeted action these rates will reduce.”

As well as national SUDI experts, the two-day Symposium programme features representatives from the Nukutere Weavers’ Collective. Apart from expounding the benefits of the wahakura, the collective will explain the historical and cultural significance of this taonga Maori.

The challenge for Whakawhetu has always been one of adequate supply of wahakura for the demand in the Maori community. The plastic pepi-pod was developed in response to this difficulty.

“The wahakura and the associated safe sleeping messages are our most important strategy for eliminating SUDI in the Maori community. Wahakura are labour-intensive to make, and developing a pool of experienced weavers to meet demand has and always will be a challenge,” says Kathrine Clarke.

“We know, however, that whanau cherish the device when they get one. Young Maori mums are looking for kaupapa Maori parenting tools. They want to engage with devices that help them to parent well, as well as validating their identity as Maori.”

Politicians from the Labour and Green Parties will attend the two day hui, along with Gisborne’s mayor Meng Foon. The Minister of Maori Affairs, the Hon Te Ururoa Flavell is also expected to make an appearance on day one.

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