July 09, 2019
Wahakura weavers share wisdom
Weavers of wahakura are meeting over the next few weeks to discuss how to ramp up production of the flax pods used to lower the risk of sudden death in infancy.
The first of four wananga is being held at Makaurau Marae in Ihumātāo, south Auckland today and tomorrow.
As well as workshops and speakers, there will be a chance for attendees to plant a pa harakeke or flax plantation.
Fay Selby Law from the SUDI Prevention National Coordination Service says as district health boards pick up on wakakura there is a growing market that needs to be filled.
"It's a great chance for those tohunga kai raranga to talk to one another, to expalain their whakaaro, who they put into those and the messages for our pēpi and our whānau so we're excited. We're not 100 percent sure what's going to come out of it but what we're doing is giving the opportunity," she says.
The number of SUDI deaths has fallen from over 250 to about 50 to 70 a year through getting the message across that babies need to sleep on their backs and in some cases in safe sleep devices, but most of those who die are Māori or Pasifika babies.
Copyright © 2019, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com