Note: This story was first published on Sunday April 29
The country's most famous teen dad has spoken about the backlash he faced after his story went viral – sparking debate about whether he could be a role model for other young people.
In 2016, Noa Woolloff became a father at the age of 17. That same year, he was the Head Boy of Wellington's Aotea College.
Noa decided to phone a talkback radio station, after hearing a conversation about parenthood. He was interviewed on air.
"I told them how I was a father, and also Head Boy of my college. It went to an [ad break]. Then the topic changed to, 'Should this Noa guy be Head Boy or not?'
"I was hearing all these strangers calling up just absolutely slating me, saying I've ruined my life and my daughter's life. And that was crazy. They didn't know me and they didn't know the situation. That was rough, and nothing could really prepare me for that."
The following day, he had a call from a major newspaper, which was keen to do a story on how he was juggling parenthood and his school leadership role. He was told the article would be on the back page of the education section.
"I was working my part-time job at New World supermarket. Somebody walked through and said, 'Awesome article in the paper'. In the space of 15 or 20 minutes, another five people said that.
"I walked over to the checkout, and [there] was my face and my daughter's face plastered over the front of the newspaper."
The story went viral. On social media, thousands of Kiwis weighed in on whether Noa could be a role model for other youth. Many said he couldn't. Some even wrote abusive comments.
"They always tell you not to look at the comments, but I can tell you I looked at every single comment. People said I can't lead a school, because of this label over my head."
The critics couldn't keep Noa down. Two years on, he is continuing to tell his story, as an advocate for other teen parents.
He created a clothing label, Increase Clothing, which dedicates its profits to providing leadership opportunities to young parents.
"There’s a time, more than ever, where [teen parenthood] can be spoken about in a positive light," Noa says.
"I see an opportunity to stand up and speak more on this taboo subject in New Zealand."
Noa shared his story as part of TVNZ's mental health series The Inside Word. Watch the full episode now.
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