Motherload He Huarahi Tamariki is a secondary school for teenage parents. It’s been two years since Capital visited and got to know five current and past students of the school. Hinehou Mason, now 18, is still at HHT and working towards her University Entrance at Level 3. ‘My studies are going really well, I enjoy English and Computing. Unfortunately I am
not loving Home Ec,’ she says. ‘Not much has changed except for that I am really wanting to get into Victoria University to study English and History as I'd like to be a secondary teacher. I’ve wanted to be a teacher since 2016 when I went to Tawa Intermediate for work experience. I just loved being able to help the kids and teaching them a few tricks in English and Maths.’ Her daughter Rinoa has just turned three. ‘She’s doing really well in kindy and is growing really fast too. She’s already wearing size 10 toddler 36
shoes and sizes 5–7 clothing!’ Rinoa’s dad isn’t in the picture. Hinehou says she’s fine with that as she has many, many supporters with all her whanau. ‘I am still living at home with mum and the kids and they love Rinoa so much. Their favorite part of the weekdays are when we’re off to school and they all get one big kiss from her, and when we come home she runs to them with a big smile on her face yelling.’ Issue 24, page 36 Photography by Ashley Church
