Perfect start to family life

Angie Brierley is looking forward to this weekend's expo. Photo / Ben Fraser

Whether you are in the early stages of starting a family or you have a bunch of rugrats, this weekend's Tummy & Tots Expo has something for all stages of family life.

The three-day event, which is in Rotorua for the first time, begins today at 12 noon in the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre.

It is a showcase of all subjects relating to pregnancy, children under 5 and family life and will feature workshops, entertainment, shopping and samples.

The organisers have teamed up with Plunket, which will benefit from every door sale by $2.

"There's going to be a lot of information there, particularly for new families so if you've not had a child yet it's a good place to start," said Plunket Rotorua's Angie Brierley.

"If you're looking at babywearing or car seats you can explore some options.

"It's a great opportunity for us to be seen and to have the bonus of fundraising is amazing." The community funding co-ordinator and car seat technician said Plunket would give away a car seat in a competition to find the fastest car seat installer.

Event organiser Alia Ryan said the idea for the expo came from her own family and recent maternity leave.

"I started event management a few years go but it was always a sideline.

"Last year while on maternity leave I decided to create an event that tied in."

She said there would be goodie bags for the first 1500 families who come through the doors.