The mobster's partner, Waiora Tareha, made a Givealittle, asking Kiwis to financially help him so he can afford his degree. Photo / Givealittle, Instagram
The mobster's partner, Waiora Tareha, made a Givealittle, asking Kiwis to financially help him so he can afford his degree. Photo / Givealittle, Instagram
A Kiwi Mongrel Mob member with a Notorious face tattoo has started a Givealittle page to help fund his education.
After being in prison twice, Puk Kireka, 31, has chosen to change his life around by studying sport and recreation and getting a job.
The mobster's partner, Waiora Tareha, made a Givealittle page, asking Kiwis to financially help him so he can afford his degree.
Puk Kireka at a premier club rugby game at Whitmore Park in Napier. Photo / Paul Taylor
"Help Puk on his path to his dream job by supporting him with his education, course and study fees so that he is able to obtain his Cert, Diploma and Bachelors degree in Sport and Exercise Science to become a Personal Trainer," she Tareha on the page.
She said all the funds will go towards Kireka's study and course-related costs.
Kireka, a mobster since 2008, had two prison lags - three years on violence-related charges and two years for standovers.
The father of three now plays rugby as a winger for Tamatea, which is a positive follow-up to a 13-month fitness programme which saw him shed 31kg under the guidance of Tamatea head coach Levi Armstrong at Patu Gym.
"I first went to court when I was 16 and I haven't been back since 2016. Meeting Levi [Armstrong] in 2017 helped turn my life around," Kireka told Hawkes Bay Today.
"I've proved to be an inspiration for other mobsters throughout the country. Since they have read about my lifestyle change on Facebook many have been in touch asking about my fitness programmes so they can follow them."
Tamatea premier club rugby player and mobster Puk Kireka. Photo / Paul Taylor
Kireka will start a level four Sport and Recreation course at EIT next month with the aim of gaining a diploma and then a degree before securing a job within the sporting industry.
"I know it will be hard to get a job with my tatts," Kireka said pointing to the mob colours which decorate his face.
"I will always be a mobster but it's important to show we can have better lifestyles. I want to bring some of the others on board this better lifestyle.
"A lot of them are still drinking and smoking. While they aren't getting into much trouble they are still ruining their lives with their lifestyle," Kireka stressed.
Last week, rapper 50 Cent called out the Kiwi Mongrel Mob member's facial tattoo on Instagram.
50 Cent brutally sledges Kiwi Mongrel Mob member Puk Kireka giant face tattoo on Instagram. Photo / Instagram
UK newspaper the Sun published an article based on Kireka's interview with the Herald headlining "MOB JUSTICE Gangster with 'Notorious' tattooed across his face moans he can't find a job".
Then 50 Cent fired his shot, publicly commenting on Kireka's facial tattoo by posting a screenshot of the Sun's article to his Instagram.
"What the f*** is really going on man. I wonder why he can't get a job," the rapper wrote.
