Young parents and weavers are being invited to ‘do the very best you can for your baby' at a free healthy living workshop.

Up to 50 young parents and weavers are being sought for the Wahakura Waikawa Wananga being held at Te Puna's Tutereinga Marae on Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17.

Doing the best for your baby. Breast and Cervical Screening Support Servicer Chrissie Rolleston, Tamariki Ora Health Promoter Paretapu Clarke and Office Administartor Donna Leef promote the Wahakura Waikawa Wananga. Photo: Supplied.

'‘Do the very best you can for your baby', that's the message we're promoting,” says Tamariki Ora Health Promoter Paretapu Clarke, from organisers Te Kupenga Hauora o Tauranga Moana.

'We're looking at young parents and experienced weavers to come along. These weavers can have the opportunity to learn a new skill, weaving a waikawa wahakura; which is a traditional sleeping basket.

'Its use has been revitalised to support parents to provide a designated sleep area for pepi (baby).

'There is a strong focus on supporting young Maori parents to create a healthy environment for pepi with health promotion on auahi kore (smokefree), kaupapa Maori antenatal programmes, Maori midwives, breastfeeding, oral health and rongoa (treatments).”

Easy to make, strong and safe, the traditional wahakura is a flax bassinette for babies from birth to six months of age.

It provides a 'safe sleeping space' and allows baby and mother to remain in close proximity at all times, which is important for bonding and breastfeeding.

'There is a lot of health promotion activity for younger parents on the Friday especially,” said Paretapu.

'And the weaving was traditionally done in a group so we are looking to replicate that.”

For more information visit the Te Kupenga Hauora o Tauranga Moana Facebook page by clicking here.