Thirteen year old dad not uncommon 

Source: ONE News

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The story of a boy in the UK who became a father at 13, sent shockwaves around Britain, but statistics show there are large numbers of young parents also in New Zealand.

Baby faced Alfie Patten's daughter, Maisie, was conceived when he was just 12. Her mother, Shantelle, was 15 when she gave birth.

ONE News asked Statistics New Zealand to go back through the records to find out the age of New Zealand's youngest parents.

The never before published data shows that in 2007, the most recent year for which figures are available, New Zealand had 15 new fathers aged 13-14.

That is the most on record.

The figures are even higher for girls.

In the same year, one new mum was registered at 12 years old, six at 13, and 45 at 15 - which is Shantelle's age.

This again was the highest total on record.

In 2006 there was one mum aged 11, the youngest age on record.

National MP Paula Bennett was a young mum, giving birth at 17, but even she was shocked by what was found.

"Oh look, it's pretty horrific really, it's children having children, and it's quite frightening for us as a country to think that's happening," she says.

Zanna Schuster had son Benson when she was 16. Caprice Mokomoko gave birth to Shonte at just 14.

"I just can't live a normal teenage life that's all, like going out and stuff," says teenage parent Zanna.

The pair are finishing their schooling and have no regrets, and not surprised by our teenage birth-rate.

Zanna says that so many people are having babies.

"People are treating it as a trend now," she says.

A trend that is likely to be continued when the latest figures on our teenage baby boom are released on Wednesday.