Mums and bubs from near and far at Rotorua Tummy and Tots Expo

Rotorua's Jabbie Tijing, 5, gives a Plunket bear a hug at the Tummy and Tots Expo. Photo / Stephen Parker

Competitions, seminars, spot prizes and face painting for little ones were just a handful of activities on offer at this year's Tummy and Tots Expo.

It was a fifth birthday celebration for the exclusively Rotorua event which was held at the Distinction Hotel on Saturday.

With only a few weeks before her due date, Tracey Bangs realised it was a better option to come to Rotorua than wait for an expo closer to home.

She travelled from Te Awamutu with her husband, stepson and daughter for the day to learn new information ahead of the baby's arrival.

"I find that each time we've had another baby it has all changed and it's all different. We like to come and talk to people and find out what's going on.

Sisters Nicole McKenzie and Megan Rainey brought a carload of maternity and nursing dresses from their store, The Pregnancy Loft in Hamilton.

McKenzie said, "With my 2-month-old, I had to attend a wedding and I wore a dress that may have been cheap but it looked like someone had poured a bucket of water over me after the first feed.

"It makes a huge difference to put something on and actually feel pretty or special in it. Why can't you feel good and look good just going to the supermarket?"

McKenzie said she had embraced having a bump and simply wanted other women to feel beautiful like she did and believed clothes was the best way to start.

Event director Alia Ryan said she was motivated to create the event after having her daughter Zoe, now 5.

She wanted to create the event to break down some of the barriers in the baby industry.

"It can be isolating down here in Rotorua while the big centres get their events and expos so we wanted to do something for our local whānau here.

"It's just a good relaxed day all about a great big puku or raising the little tiny humans."