Teen dad becomes crusader
Noa Woolloff travels the country sharing his story to encourage others
The former Wellington head boy who made headlines as a teenage dad has well and truly broken his stereotype — and now spends his days trying to do the same for others.
Noa Woolloff, 19, became New Zealand’s best-known teen dad when he was made head boy at Aotea College after becoming a father at the tender age of 17 to his daughter, Kyla.
He found out at the end of 2014 that his ex-girlfriend was pregnant.
“I just don’t think there’s anything that can really prepare you for a nationwide, viral article,” he said.
“I remember just chucking on my radio driving home from work and hearing all these people slate me on live radio, saying I’ve ruined my life and ruined my daughter’s life.
“All these people talking about me like they knew my whole life. Saying my parents had done a shit job ... it was just really frustrating.”
But Woolloff proved everyone wrong. Henow travels the country sharing his story with other young people, and runs a non-profit business, Increase Clothing NZ, to support other teenage parents.
The business raises money to send young parents on adventure and leadership courses such as Outward Bound.
Woolloff also works for a charity called Inspiring Stories, which is focused on young people and encouraging leadership and innovation.
I remember hearing all these people slate me on live radio, saying I’ve ruined my life and my daughter’s life. Noa Woolloff
He enrolled to do a marketing communications degree at university but pulled out two weeks before the course began.
“I was just thinking about . . . look, I don’t really want to commit to something and invest tens of thousands of dollars and four years of my life into something I’m not too sure I want to do for the rest of my life.
“I just don’t believe in doing something that doesn’t make you happy. I think you’ve got to do what sets your heart on fire, as cheesy as that sounds.”
What sets Woolloff’s heart on fire is supporting other young people and young parents. He hopes to set up workshops for young fathers like himself, and loves the opportunity to share his journey with youth around the country.
He has done a Ted talk, toured New Zealand with World Vision, and spoken to 1300 young people at Festival for the Future.
“It’s not about me advocating for teen pregnancy . . . it’s more about how do we move forward as a society and not neglect others because of the situation that they’re in.”
Kyla turns 3 in March, and is “absolutely amazing”.
The toddler, who is currently learning “the art of sulking”, has made her father careful about what he invests his time in.
“I think she’s impacted my life in every way, I can’t remember not being a parent now.”