Skip Content
A group of Papaiōea weaving students
A group of Papaiōea weaving students’ efforts could help to plug a gap with a nationwide shortage of wahakura.
 
And their labour of love is also allowing mothers and their babies to sleep more easily.
 
The first year level 4 students of Kāwai Ruapapa Certificate in Māori Visual Arts (Raranga) wove wahakura (bassinets) before donating them to a local iwi health centre, Te Kete Houora o Tamaki nui a rua in Dannevirke.
 
The 11 wahakura are destined for young mothers and their babies and are part of a project developed by Dr David Tipene-Leach in 2001.
 
It’s believed that wahakura, which are used as a safety enclosure based on traditional Māori designs for sleeping babies, has helped to see the Māori rate of sudden infant death syndrome plummet since 1996 according to figures from the Department of Statistics.
 
Back then the number of Māori infant deaths was more than double that of Pākeha at 11.6 deaths per 1000 births before their first birthday.
 
By 2013 the rate had more than halved to 5.07, which is now marginally ahead of Pākeha.
 
The price of the success is an ongoing demand of wahakura for new parents with many not being returned.
 
Papaiōea marketing coordinator Damian McGregor said weaving students could help to fill this void locally.
 
“The good thing about these wahakura is not only is this occupation-oriented but it is also community-focused.” 
 Back to news & events

Published On: 3 June 2015

Article By: James Ihaka



Other Articles

  • 24 July 2025

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa chief executive Evie O’Brien announced as Te Kura Toroa

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa celebrates its 40th anniversary by bestowing chief executive Evie O’Brien with the enduring title of Te Kura Toroa. Discover the cultural significance of this new role and its reflection of leadership, kaitiakitanga, and Māori values.

  • 23 July 2025

    Māori musician's reo Māori journey leads to wānanga kaiako role

    Jordyn Rapana, known as Jordyn With A Why, shares her inspiring journey of learning te reo Māori to raise her tamariki in a reo-speaking home. From immersion study to becoming a kaiako at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, discover how music, whānau, and culture shaped her path.

  • 16 July 2025

    Keeping clean and kicking off a business through wānanga programme

    Kristin Adams turned her recovery journey into a business success through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Smart Steps to Business programme. Discover how education, support, and determination helped her launch Pinky and Co and rebuild her life with purpose.

  • 9 July 2025

    Victoria's Journey: Embracing te reo Māori in healthcare

    Nurse Victoria Richmond shares how learning te reo Māori through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Papa Reo programme has deepened her cultural competency and patient care. Discover how flexible online learning is helping bridge cultural gaps in Aotearoa’s healthcare system.