Dad and baby

What We Do

We were established in March 1994 to decrease SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) rates in the Māori community.

Our organisation delivers national and regional services with a focus on co-ordination and provision of evidence based research. We aim to assist whānau, health professionals and communities to reduce the incidence of SIDS and SUDI (Sudden Unexpected Deaths in Infancy).

Our key services include:

  • Information dissemination
  • Workforce development
  • Reorientation of health services
  • Supporting whanau

Māori SIDS is based within the School of Population Health, Tamaki Campus, University of Auckland.

  Click here to
go to our blog...

Making wahakura

Wahakura - A Return to a Traditional Way of Sleeping

Wānanga Wahakura 16-18 May 2008

A wahakura is a woven flax bassinette for infants up to 6 months of age. This return to a traditional Maori way creates a safe space for your baby. The wahakura also promotes breast-feeding and bonding with baby.

At Tapu-i-hikitia Marae, Gisborne, the first of a series of wānanga to learn how to make wahakura was held.

Download this PDF for more information about the wahakura and the wānanga.

Wānanga Wahakura ki Gisborne (PDF 350 KB)

Wānanga Information Pack (PDF 278 KB)

Email Network News Updates:

Aka Wahakura 1 June (PDF 104 KB)

Aka Wahakura 1 July (PDF 105 KB)

RSS feed click to subscribe

Making Wahakura

Family at the beach

FAQs

What is SIDS?
Is SIDS hereditary?
Is "Mate Māori" a cause of SIDS?
Why do the Police turn up at a SIDS death?
Can SIDS happen more than once in a family?
Is there a traditional sleeping method?
MORE...