Events

Recent and upcoming events.

Wahakura - A Return to a Traditional Way of Sleeping

Wānanga Wahakura

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.

Couple in bed with baby in wahakura

“Tui, tuituia” is a series of wānanga that aims to bring together experts in Māori weaving and Māori child health. The central focus of the hui is the making and distribution of a unique resource called Wahakura.

The wahakura is an innovative cultural response promoted by Māori SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) nationwide. By using traditional Māori knowledge and working in a Māori way we will be able to better protect lives and promote wellbeing of Māori babies.

Mā te mahi tahi tātou te kaupapa e oti ai!

For weavers, these wānanga wahakura are an opportunity to learn how to make wahakura. Māori health workers will learn about the wahakura and how to promote safe use of the wahakura to Māori whānau.It is envisioned, that weaving and health representatives from each region will work together to make and distribute the wahakura in their communities. Check out the following dates and venues for a wānanga coming your way. Should your organisation be interested in running a local wānanga please contact us.

Wānanga Wahakura Calendar of Events 2008

Date	Venue	Registrations	Information
16-18 May	Tapuihikitia marae, Gisborne	CLOSED	Download this PDF for wānanga report Wānanga Wahakura ki Gisborne Report
19-21 September	Maungatapu marae, Tauranga	OPEN Registrations close: 15 September	Download this PDF for information pack and registration form Wānanga Wahakura ki Tauranga
Coming soon	Auckland
Coming soon	South Island

FAQs

What is SIDS?
Is SIDS hereditary?
Is "Mate Maori" 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?
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