Media Statements

E kore au e ngaro - Babies passed never forgotten

Friday, 9 October, 2009

Māori SIDS acknowledges all parents and whānau, and remembers the lives of their babies who have died. We especially remember those families and their loved ones whom we have met and worked alongside over 15 years of service to our communities. ‘E kore au e ngaro he kākano i ruia mai I Rangiātea’ – ‘I will never be lost, the seed which was sown from Rangiātea.' This whakatauki acknowledges the whakapapa and lineage of every mokopuna that they are precious and are never forgotten.

Māori SIDS congratulate SANDS New Zealand for leading this week of remembrance and the important work they do all year round to support parents and whānau. For more information on one of the many national events that have been organised go to http://www.sands.org.nz/baby-loss-awareness-week.html . Everyone can play a part by lighting a candle either on your own or as a group at 7pm on Thursday, 15^th October to take part in the ‘Global Wave of Light’. Being the first to see the light of the new day, New Zealand initiates the start of this global event.

Pauline Hopa takes up post at Māori Land Court

Monday, 24 November, 2008

Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Whātua attended in force to support the official pōwhiri to welcome Pauline Hopa into her new office as the District Manager for Te Taitokerau Māori Land Court region. The event was made rich by the beautiful tribal melodies sung to support speeches and the moving karakia to start Pauline off on the best foot in her role.

Pauline has been a member of the Māori SIDS team for over 12 years having started as a Regional Coordinator rising to her most recent role as the National Operations Manager. “Pauline has been a valued team member of the Māori SIDS team. We will miss her but she has left us in good stead. We know she will do great things for the Māori Land Court,” said Herena Te Wano, Māori SIDS Communications Manager. The pōwhiri took place on Monday, 24 November at Manaia House in Whangarei.

Māori SIDS embracing SIDS redefinition to SUDI

Friday, 24 October, 2008

In Januray 2008, the Ministry of Health supported the National Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee to adopt the international re-classification of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) to SUDI (Sudden and Unexpected of an Infant). Māori SIDS have embraced the change and are now working to align their brand, training, and communications.

“We see this as an opportunity. We are also comfortable and happy to support our stakeholders in understanding the transition. In a nutshell SUDI is an overarching term that encompasses all infant sudden and unexpected deaths. SIDS makes up the majority of these. In New Zealand, 70% of all SUDI are Māori statistics,” says Communications Project Manager, Herena Te Wano. “The change is timely for us as we have been strategising to rebrand. By default the redefinition has widened our focus to still address SIDS but apply what we have learnt to help in other infant mortality issues. We are looking to build upon the Kia Mataara brand that will encompass the breadth of SUDI which of course includes SIDS.”

Call for independant inquiry into hospital botch-up

Thursday, 2 October, 2008

Waiomio, a small community in the far north, is reeling. A local whanau buried 4 day old baby Lazariah Mar, who died last month following two heart operations. To add to the trauma and grief, the family were informed that a small piece of heart tissue had not been put back after surgery.

Maori SIDS supports MP Hone Harawira's call for a review of the way Auckland City Hospital deals with body parts. Furthermore, an independant body should conduct the review as this is not the first incident to occur.

The post-mortem examination is abhorrent to tikanga Maori, where the deceased's body is considered to be "tapu". Maori have supported the process in the knowledge that they may find answers that will explain the cause of death of their loved one. Sadly, the good faith of a mourning family has been let down. This negligent act will fuel existing sceptism amongst those already suspicious of the process. Link to full story

Report on Māori child and youth mortality atrocious

Monday, 29 September, 2008

Dedicated child health programmes are achieving great gains for non-Māori. In contrast, Māori children and youth are most vulnerable and a significant number have died of preventable deaths.

The Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee Fourth Report to the Minister of Health reporting mortality 2002–2005 illustrates the disparity between Māori and non-Māori has increased.

The report highlights that the 3 major causes of death are preventable and affect Māori. The report shows that:

Maori children and young people are dying unintentionally through injury, mainly transport related including motor vehicle accidents
Maori suicide rates (10-24 years) are highest and more than double that of NZ European who are second highest
70 per cent of SUDI deaths - babies aged between 4 weeks and 1 year who die unexpectedly - are Maori babies.

“Despite our best efforts across the health sector and where inter-sectoral collaboration is happening, we do not seem to be making headway,” says Pauline Hopa, National Operations Manager for Māori SIDS. “These deaths are preventable. Across all sectors, Māori child health has to be the number one priority of all government departments. By equitable resourcing and sectors committed to working together we may achieve at least equal outcomes.”

Hopa also commented on the Treaty claims process by saying, “We should be strongly advising iwi and hapu to challenge the Crown on the state of Māori child health in the same vein and rigour they are pursuing land claims. Māori children have the right to live and to grow up healthy. Māori are not a minority group but tangata whenua, indigenous to this land and Treaty partner.”

Child & Youth Mortality Review 4th Annual Report Sep 2008 (PDF 522 KB)