Our History

In 1991 the national SIDS prevention campaign reduced the national SIDS rates by almost 50%. Unfortunately, the rates of Māori babies dying did not reduce significantly. In recognition of this, the Māori SIDS Prevention Programme was established in 1994. The objectives of the service were to raise awareness in Māori communities and conduct research on SIDS in relation to Māori.

In response to Māori communities, the programme shifted its focus to support whānau at the time of a SIDS death. As a result of this shift, Māori SIDS became forceful advocates for the sensitising of infant death scene protocols and the coronial investigation. As the service continued to develop, Regional coordinators were appointed across the country to increase coverage and improve community engagement. Strategic alliances were formed and responsiveness to Māori improved.

By 2005 SIDS rates began to plateau and although rates were significantly lower than in 1994, the disparity for Māori babies was unacceptable. Thus, the service was restructured to a national coordination model in 2007. During the transition from a regional model to a national framework, the team went through significant change and struggled to regain the strong sector presence they had provided in previous years. In response to these challenges the service was restructured and a new General Manager and new staff were appointed in August – September 2010.

In early 2011, the service was rebranded to Whakawhetu: National SIDS Prevention for Māori. The origin of this name dates back to ancient karakia and refers to the unborn child taking form within the wharetangata (mother’s womb). This clearly illustrates the importance of maternal and infant health within our organisation and less obviously links to the overall aim of our service to strengthen health professionals to support whānau so that they can protect and nurture their babies, in a similar way to how the wharetangata protects and nurtures the unborn child.