The former inmate battling to find work due to his prison facial tattoo says he has a second chance - and he will make the most of it.
Mark Cropp, wants that to be a pathway to finding a job - and a new life away from crime.
Since his story was published in the Herald, Cropp has been inundated with job offers.
In a new interview today he reveals his harrowing upbringing and his hopes of redemption.
He spent time in care growing up and, in part, blames his life of crime on his past.
Now he wants a fresh start with his partner, his daughter, Mariah-Jane, and a job to keep a roof over their heads and get food on the table.
His partner was eight months pregnant when he was jailed in 2015, aged 17, for aggravated robbery, after he and a friend pulled a knife on a tourist in Nelson.
"I was quite angry at myself because... I said I wouldn't let her do it alone. And I pretty much failed.
"I didn't want my daughter to have the same upbringing that I did."
Cropp had the tattoo while drunk on home brew in prison using a crudely built needle and a concoction of fermented foods to make the colour.
Once the tattoo is gone, he is considering taking a full-time scaffolding job but has to wait for his probation officer to give the go-ahead.
“Avoid the area and consider using an alternative route if possible.”