OTANGAREI'S Martin Kaipo reckons he's not ready to put down the textbooks just yet.
The former Black Power gang leader and current Otangarei Trust director graduated yesterday with a Bachelor of Social Work from NorthTec in Whangarei.
He joined around 100 proud Northlanders marching in academic dress from the Rose Gardens, through
central Whangarei and into Forum North to mark their achievements. Students graduated in applied and environmental science, computing and information systems, nursing, social services and sport and recreation.
Graduates were all smiles as friends, family and supporters clapped and cheered.
Mr Kaipo said he was relieved he had come to the end of his degree studies but planned to continue studying for a Masters.
"It's been a long five years to get here but I've enjoyed it," he said.
The only man in his class, Mr Kaipo hoped his achievements would encourage other men, particularly those who leant towards gang life, to take part in education.
"There's a line between experience and education and you've got to have both. Then you can make better choices," he said.
Students of the arts, beauty, fashion and transition to tertiary, business and tourism, primary industries, Te Puna o te Matauranga, and trades had their graduation ceremony on Wednesday.
