A Hawke's Bay doctor who is credited with helping save babies' lives through the wahakura (flax bassinet) project has been recognised for his services.
Dr David Tipene-Leach, who comes from Pōrangahau and is of Ngāti Kere and Ngāti Manuhiri descent, has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and health.
He is a general practitioner who has spent his working life promoting Māori health in rural and urban communities around Ruatoki, Whakatane, Gisborne, East Coast and Hastings.
This includes the wahakura project which has lead to a 30 per cent drop in infant mortality.
The Ministry of Health announced last year the infant safe sleep programme would run the project nationally.