Doctor of psychology: Kiwi's willingness to help ex-inmate Mark Cropp is 'humbling'

Convicted murderer turned life coach and Doctor of psychology, Dr Paul Wood says he is always amazed at how willing Kiwis are to lend a helping hand and give people like former inmate Mark Cropp a second chance.

"One of the things I have found in my own experience is just how humbling Kiwis are in respect of being really prepared to provide opportunities to those who demonstrate they are keen on turning their lives around," said Wood.

The Doctor of psychology said he was so glad to hear Cropp, the young man who has been struggling to find a job because of his extensive prison facial tattoo, has been inundated with job offers.

Cropp has also accepted a free offer to have his giant tattoo saying "DEVAST8" removed.

"It's such a great, humbling and humanitarian thing that's been done in terms of all these offers towards this guy," said Wood.

Mark Cropp was struggling to find a job because of his facial tattoo, which was done in prison. Photo/NZH Focus

Wood spent 11 years behind bars after murdering a drug dealer in 1995, when he was just 18.

He then became the first person in New Zealand to complete an undergraduate and Masters degree while in prison. He was also the first person to begin a Doctorate while in jail.

Wood believed the community's response to Cropp would give other inmates hope that they too can make a life for themselves on the outside.

He said Kiwi's generosity partly came from the fact that we are an "underdog nation".

"We are a small community. I don't think we have had the luxury of being as unforgiving as larger nations might be," said Wood.

However, he believed the desire to want to give people a chance to better themselves was not just a Kiwi thing but "a really human thing".

"I just hope this guy really does live up to deserving all of the generosity that is coming his way. I hope he is able to make good choices rather than make people second guess acting in the same way, if they were given another opportunity in the future."