Wahakura Programme

Nga mihi o te tau hou kia koutou. Finally after months of planning and development, in February this year we have launched our Wahakura programme here in Wairoa.

Elsdon Best records in Te Whare Kohanga and its lore that in pre-European days there was a traditional Maori bassinet like structure called a porokaraka – it was a flax cradle that was slung from a tree or from the rafters of the whare puni. In more recent years....., babies were laid in kete kumara to sleep while their parents tended gardens. More recently still...weavers in the [Wahakura Project] had made “Moses baskets” during the 1980s/90s for their children and mokopuna.  This project therefore seeks to build upon those previous experiences to develop this lifesaving product utilising the contemporary people resource in reclamation of a traditional tikanga.

(Tipene-Leach, D. 08.08.08)

By utilising traditional tikanga practices and skilled kairaranga, wahakura have been produced as a strategy of confining pepi within a safe sleeping environment to decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome whilst also enabling the natural bonding process to occur.

Key messages to keep in mind when using wahakura,

       Never put baby to sleep alone on an adult sized bed. The pillows and heavy blankets pose a suffocation risk without you being present to observe and protect baby

       Never sleep with a baby on a sofa, or on a waterbed. The surface needs to be firm and flat or babies can suffocate

       Never put baby between you and the wall. Babies can get squashed in and suffocate

       Babies should never sleep in a car seat. The head will drop forward and block the airway

       There should be no loose strings around. Strings, cords or ties on clothing, blinds and mobiles can be dangerous

       Never let other children sleep with your infant. Children can also lay over and suffocate babies

So what’s in the programme?

       Weaving and parenting sessions

       Health/Wellbeing information for Mum’s and their pepi

       To gain knowledge of Wahakura (purpose & application)

       Tuakana/teina concept of learning

       Socialisation for Mum’s & pepi    

Currently the Wahakura programme is being delivered at four sites across Hawkes Bay, Flaxmere (Tu Meke PHO), Hastings (Choices), Napier (Maori Women’s Welfare League) and Wairoa (Wairoa PHO)

Mo tatou, a, mo ka uri a muri ake nei

For us, and our children after us 

Glossary

Wahakura                     bassinet type moses basket made from harakeke

Harakeke                       flax

Whare                            house

Kohanga                        nest, nursery

Pepi                                baby

Tuakana                        elder brother (of a male), elder sister (of a female)

Teina                              younger brother (of a male), younger sister (of a female),

Tikanga                         correct procedure, method

Kairaranga                   weavers

Whare puni                  sleeping house