Being a mother is rewarding but it's not easy. It's even harder when you're a single teenage mother.
Naumai-Aroha Shaw-Rapata, 19, says although motherhood has been challenging, her baby Zariah marked the beginning of her life.
Ms Shaw-Rapata studies NCEA level 2 at He Matariki School For Teen Parents and attends the Cooking Academy at North Tech in Whangarei.
She recently won bronze for her fettuccine in a regional cooking competition last month.
Ms Shaw-Rapata got pregnant at 16 after being the target of high school bullies, but was determined her pregnancy would not be the end of her education.
Her dream is to work with infamous television chef Gordon Ramsay.
Ms Shaw-Rapata's mother has supported her from when she got pregnant and continues to be her backbone to this day.
To get the insight into this inspiring teen's life, watch The Hui, TV3, Sunday 9:30am.
Newshub.
