Ms Hayes said her friend wasn't at all happy with her answer and, throughout October, convinced her she had a one-in-a-million look that was made for the industry.
"I ended up saying okay, where do I go from here?"
The friend introduced Ms Hayes to Phillip Darley, who owns a boutique modelling agency in Melbourne. After months of questions and answers between Mr Darley and herself, Ms Hayes was offered a contract to sign at the beginning of summer last year.
"Ten days after talking it through with friends and family, I decided to go for it."
Since signing with Darley and becoming Melbourne-based, Ms Hayes has also been signed with Kismet in Los Angeles and One Management in New York, meaning she is now eligible to work the USA fashion market as she is represented by an agency.
On the Darley Models Agency books, Ms Hayes is described as a New Zealand native, a title she is happy to have.
"To me being a New Zealand native means being Maori. Being born in New Zealand, living and breathing everything Kiwi and being proud to be a New Zealander."
During one of her first photo shoots in Melbourne, Ms Hayes wears a traditional ta moko on her chin, something she thought would look great on her books.
"The designer of the ta moko was a friend of mine, Te Haunui Tuna from Waimana. He's done some amazing pieces and is a very talented artist. Whenever I can I like to involve as many talented Kiwis as possible, the photographer on that shoot was Brook Miller from Hamilton."
Despite missing home every day, especially her parents and younger sister, Ms Hayes wants to take her modelling career as far as she can.
"I have a fresh new look on the modelling world and am now more focused and motivated to do my best. I'm ready to show the world what I have to offer."
"Since New Zealand's Next Top Model I've learned to appreciate the small things in life. I know that sounds corny but I'm thankful for my family and closest friends who have put up with me through the massive ups and downs of the past three years.
"It has been a real rollercoaster but, if I hadn't put myself in that situation I did three years ago, I wouldn't be who I am today." She knows people still think of her as the "tough girl from Kawerau" following the Top Model show but is happy her friends and family know the real her.
Ms Hayes has just become an aunt to a "gorgeous wee girl called Charlee".
"She melts my heart every time I see a photo of her. That reminds me, I must book a flight to see her and my sister before I jet off to the United States."