Mum-to-be Moana Ngatai has given up smoking for the sake of her unborn son and is encouraging other expectant mums to do the same.
The 32-year-old from Matakana Island is pregnant with her second child but said giving up smoking this time was much harder than for her first pregnancy.
"The first pregnancy I gave up smoking straight away but I have a lot more stresses this time around," Ms Ngatai said.
"I have two step-daughters as well as my 12-year-old daughter, so I already have three children to look after and that comes with its pressures. I know how difficult it can be and why people often need support."
I'm an avid radio listener and I would often hear the radio adverts about quitting. When I first heard them I would turn the radio down because I felt guilty, I didn't want to hear it, but it was still kicking away at my conscience
That support will be found for many at the "Ūkaipō" Wahine Maori - Strengthening Whanau programme which runs over three days, starting on 1 November, at Maungatapu Marae.
The interactive programme has been designed to provide pregnant women and their whanau with information and skills to become smokefree, said facilitator Tiana Bennett, from the Western Bay of Plenty PHO (WBOPPHO), in a statement released by the Bay of Plenty District Health Board.