Support for baby Te Awhi McLeod
Help support baby Te Awhi, who is in Starship Hospital fighting a rare heart condition.
Whanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui
On February 10, 2025, our beautiful baby boy Te Awhi McLeod was born to Hana Wainohu and Te Manawaora McLeod. His first few weeks were filled with so much love and happiness, but everything changed on March 10 when he was rushed to Whanganui Hospital where he was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome—a rare heart condition that causes dangerously fast and irregular heartbeats (SVT).
During these episodes, Te Awhi’s tiny heart would race at alarming speeds, sometimes reaching 300 beats per minute. To bring his heartbeat back to a normal rhythm, doctors would use ice-water immersion—a terrifying experience for our precious mokopuna and his parents.
On Saturday evening, he suffered another severe episode and he was flown to Starship Hospital in Auckland. By Sunday afternoon, Te Awhi was placed on life support. The situation was critical, however in the early hours of Monday morning, Te Awhi underwent emergency surgery. While he is now stable, he remains under 24-hour intensive care.
Our whānau are thankful for all the messages and karakia. We hear you all and feel the love and support from home. Te Awhi is a fighter and we will continue to fight alongside him.
Ngā mihi nui,
The McLeod & Wainohu Whaanau
Arareina (Stephenie) Davis' involvement (page creator)
Hana Wainohu is my niece and Te Awhi is our mokopuna. I have set up this give-a-little page to help ease financial burdens Hana and Te Manawaora may face as they support their baby boy to wellness.
Use of funds
We are reaching out to our whaanau to help ease the financial burden of accommodation, travel and ongoing costs associated with being away from home for an extended period of time.
Latest update
Update from the whānau... 4 April 2025
Kia ora e te whānau
It is now three weeks since this page was established and Te Awhi has been through a number of life changing challenges whilst in Starship hospital.
Te Awhi went into Cardiac arrest not long after entering Starship Hospital.
He was revived and put on life support. He has undergone two heart surgeries and a surgery to drain fluid from his back.
Since being off ECMO (life support), the doctors found that Te Awhis lungs were weak from all the stress and lack of oxygen which he is now being treated for pneumonia. He is currently on a ventilating machine in order to continuing supporting his lungs.
A recent CT scan showed that the right side of Te Awhis brain is injured causing a stroke and seizures.
How is Te Awhi now? Te Awhi continues to be on 24 hour intensive care. He is now off life support and his heart is functioning on its own. He is alert and responsive to movement and sound.
He still has a long journey ahead but the progress is positive.
Te Awhi, Hana and Te Manawaora are overwhelmed by the support from everyone and would like to send their love and appreciation.
“Awhi mai, Awhi atu”
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