Meet adorable Ava 'I STILL HAVE TO PINCH MYSELF!'

The Newshub star shares the whirlwind birth that left her just one day to prepare

- Sophie Neville

Laura and Andrew couldn't be happier with their chilled-out baby girl.

It's 9am on a Thursday and Laura Tupou is breathing a sigh of relief. After almost three weeks isolating at home as COVID swept through her young family, the broadcaster has just dropped her two-year-old Amalia back at daycare.

"It's been a long haul," admits Laura as she settles down at her kitchen table to chat with Woman's Day over Zoom. Her partner Andrew Patterson, an associate dean at the University of Auckland business school, hands baby Ava to her as he heads to the home office to begin his day.

Lifting the adorable five-month-old up to the camera, the TV star coos, "Say hi, Ava! She's been such a lovely addition to our family.

"Getting used to having two has been quite full on, but she's chill, quiet and goes with the flow, which is just as well really!"

Sharing the news desk with Tom is a dream.

It's been a huge few months for journalist Laura, 32. Not only has the Tongan talent become a mum of two with the arrival of Ava on 13 December, but she has also landed her dream job as Newshub Live At 6pm's weekend newsreader alongside Tom McRae. While she doesn't officially start the role until Matariki weekend on 25 June, Laura has been filling in over the past few weeks and loves the prime-time experience.

"I still have to pinch myself," she says. "I was definitely nervous at the start, but I'm lucky to have Tom next to me because he's really helped me learn the ropes."

Ava Maria Patterson-Tupou

Born 13 December, 2021

Weight 3.45kg