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A 16-year-old boy has received his late mother's Bachelor of Arts degree from Massey University at a graduation ceremony in Wellington.
Connor Simpson took the honour seriously, with the pink hood his mother Nicola would have worn with her graduation gown draped across his arm as he crossed the stage.
Mrs Simpson died of a brain haemorrhage in November, shortly after completing her degree.
About 30 of her family a friends gathered for the graduation to celebrate the life of a "vibrant 35-year-old".
The Manawatu branch of the Federation of Graduate Women gifted the family the pink Bachelor of Arts hood, a gesture widower Tim Simpson said was "awesome," especially for Connor.
He said his late wife was "very determined and passionate about life," loving music and film-making.
After a brain haemorrhage in 2003, she seemed even more determined to live life to the fullest.
"After that first bleed she decided she would just really get on and do things," Mr Simpson said.
"She was always like that, but the haemorrhage accelerated it. Getting her degree was the one thing she wanted."
- NZPA
