Wahakura

The Wahakura is a flax bassinette for babies from birth to 6 months. The Wahakura is an indigenous solution inspired by Dr David Tipene-Leach in collaboration with weavers from Te Tai Rāwhiti.  The name Wahakura was given by Uru McGarvey of Ruatoki (Tuhoe).  “Waha” means to carry, while “kura” is the term used to describe a child in a famous Ngāti Kahungunu “oriori” or lullaby “Pinepine te Kura” adapted by Tuhoe, which means special or precious.   Using traditional technology - Mahi Raranga, the Wahakura has been developed for a modern context and as an option for high risk whanau, alongside cots and bassinets. The wahakura provides a protected space for baby where mother has smoked during pregnancy and co-sleeps with her baby.

The Wahakura is an indigenous, homegrown response to a serious issue that affects Maori.  Maori infants are at highest risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) than other ethnic groups. Although the Maori SIDS death rate has fallen, it is still 1.5 times higher than Pacific Island infants and 6 times higher than all other ethnicities. SIDS remains the major cause of infant death in the postneonatal period.  Maternal smoking combined with an infant sharing a bed with a parent who smokes, significantly increases the risk of SIDS.

Maternal smoking remains high among Maori women. The lethal combination of these risk factors (Materanl smoking and co-sleeping) is more common for Maori infants than other infants in New Zealand. The Wahakura mitigates these combined SIDS risk factors.  Furthermore, mother and baby can still enjoy close proximity with one another, important for bonding and breastfeeding.

The important evidence based SIDS advice should not be forgotten and apply to the wahakura also:

• Back to sleep is the safest sleeping position for babies

• Babies face should be kept clear of blankets, soft toys or clothing

• Clean, smokefree air at home (and in the car) is best for baby

Added to this:

• A firm mattress should be used (with no gaps between mattress and sides of the wahakura)

• The wahakura should be kept blanket / pillow / bumper and toy-free

• Baby should not be over wrapped with excessive blankets (to avoid overheating)

• Any person under the influence of drugs, alcohol or who is excessively tired should not be allowed near a baby in a wahakura

• Every caregiver should be informed and reminded of these rules

For New Zealand, the potential of the Wahakura to save lives and promote health is significant. The widespread use of Wahakura requires significant resourcing and encouragement among whanau, and support from the wider community.  The first Wahakura project was instigated in Gisborne where local weavers produced 100 wahakura to be distributed to whanau by Nga Maia midwives. The evaluation of this project highlighted the positive experiences of whanau who used the wahakura, perceived health benefits to infant development and the opportunities for midwives to promote health messages.

New research projects commenced in 2010 to provide more Wahakura evidence.

Go to our research page