Tayla's Tiny Tots - Helping Mums In Need

Thousands of Kiwi babies owe their lives to this amazing teenager

- Fleur Guthrie

Tayla Nasmith likes to live from the heart. While she describes herself on social media as “just your normal 19-year-old”, she appears anything but to the vulnerable mums she helps around the clock.

Remarkably, the dynamic West Auckland teen was only 12 when – armed with one box of baby clothes and a burning desire to make a difference – she created Mummys In Need, a charity launched as a ‘go-between’ for families needing baby essentials and donors.

Years on, Mummys In Need now works as a support agency for Work and Income, midwives, social workers and NZ Police’s crisis team helping around 170 babies per month.

“I never thought it would get this big or that I’d be working 15-hour days,” smiles Tayla, sitting amongst cots and care packs in the charity’s donated warehouse in Henderson, where there is a constant stream of visitors.

“I was just driven to do something positive when I heard of babies coming home from hospital with nothing and I saw a baby in a supermarket wearing just a singlet. It gave me an idea of helping young mothers who were not receiving basic support.

“So I started gathering baby items using a Facebook page I set up, where people would message me if they needed clothing, food or baby equipment, and then I’d post out ‘Anonymous needs a cot’, and someone would drop one off and we’d deliver it.

“It means that no-one would get embarrassed. We’re really passionate about providing dignity to our families in need. And because I’m so young, I think I’m less intimidating to someone who’s receiving something.”