The death of a mokopuna (grandchild) to sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) has prompted Taranaki weavers and
their whānau to lend their expertise and support to Taranaki Tau te moe, Taranaki DHB’s newly named Safe Sleep
programme.
Taranaki Tau te moe provides support and education for whānau of pēpi who are at risk of SUDI through factors such as
pre-term birth or low birth-weight, maternal smoking and other social circumstances.
Philip and Puhi Nuku say, "The grief of losing a pēpi to SUDI was immense for our entire whānau, especially for our
children. This meant we felt it was really important to tautoko the Taranaki Tau te moe kaupapa; creating wahakura was
the perfect way for our whānau to offer support.
"Wahakura (bassinets woven from harakeke/flax) are a whakapapa connection to pēpi and whānau. Each wahakura is created
through traditional weaving practices passed down through generations. Knowing that wahakura are going to pēpi is
something that brings my whānau a lot of joy."
Grace Maha, Taranaki DHB midwife and SUDI prevention coordinator says, "Incidences of SUDI in Māori babies are 5-6 times
higher than non-Māori, so it’s important that we provide a programme that is delivered with a kaupapa Māori feel. That
starts with the new name, Taranaki Tau te moe."
Along with safe sleep education, whānau referred to Taranaki Tau te moe are gifted a wahakura. These taonga will sustain
Taranaki whānau with new pēpi needing an in-bed option that supports safe sleep practices.
"We are incredibly grateful for the mahi (work) that Philip, Puhi and their whānau continue to do in providing these
wahakura; we know there is a lot of aroha going into them.
"In time the programme aims to provide opportunities for māmā/whānau to be supported to weave their own wahakura. This
process empowers whānau through the use of a traditional Māori practice that sits at the heart of Māori wellbeing,"
Grace said.
Taranaki Tau te moe has also received further support from a group of skilled kaumatua from Mahia Mai A Whai Tara.
These wāhine have put their group’s mission (to help and encourage all kaumatua to celebrate their good health, rejoice
in their ability to be independent and contribute to society while supporting the generations behind them to be strong
individuals) into practice by upcycling donated blankets and sheets into warm, breathable bedding for Taranaki Tau te
moe wahakura.
If anyone would like to help by sewing/knitting/crocheting bedding for wahakura, or even by just donating blankets and
sheets, please call Taranaki Health Foundation general manager Bry Kopu-Scott on 06 753 8688, 021 024 23808.
Lead maternity carers (midwives, GPs, obstetricians) can refer whānau to Taranaki Tau te moe using the referral form
available on the Safe Sleep/Taranaki Tau te moe page (on the Taranaki DHB website).