Motherhood turned life around

FAMILY FIRST: Teenage mother Ngaire Hohepa, 19, with her daughter Manaia-Lynnae Hohepa-Kapua, 11 months, and son Iharaira Hohepa, 4. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Falling pregnant as a teenager was a blessing in disguise, says one Rotorua mother.

At 19 years old Ngaire Hohepa is a mother to three children under 5 and is starting her diploma in Early Childhood Education this year.

Ms Hohepa was 14 when she gave birth to her eldest son Iharaira Hohepa, 4, and now says he "saved her life".

"I always looked quite old for my age so I was hanging out with older people and skipping school, smoking, doing drugs, drinking. I was in and out of court and was just throwing my life away.

"When I found out I was pregnant I realised I was going to be responsible for another life and I stopped it all immediately.

"As young as I was when I had him, Iharaira saved my life."

Nearly five years later, Ms Hohepa says she loves her life.

"My children are everything to me. They were my inspiration to get my Early Childhood Education qualification because in order to give them a better life, I have to better myself.

"On the one hand, I do regret that I missed out on my teenage years and had to grow up so quickly but, on the other, it was really a blessing in disguise."

She said her family had been her biggest supporters and she would not have been able to do it all without them.

"I have always been really close with my mum and I remember I had told her I didn't want to go to school because I was feeling sick. She took me to the doctors and when we found out I was pregnant we just looked at each other and she said, 'It's okay, we will do this'."

Ms Hohepa said other teenage mothers should expect ups and downs but they just had to keep going for the sake of their babies.

"It's a rollercoaster and you have good days and bad days but I couldn't imagine my life any other way. I love my children so much and want to do everything I can to make sure their futures are as bright as possible."