A former rugby league star is inspiring young Māori to finish their trades courses - and will go round to their houses if they don't turn up for class.
David Lomax is working with students who are good at sport but have previously struggled in school.
He has helped set up an academy at the Petone campus of Wellington Institute of Technology, producing skilled workers such as electricians and carpenters.
Mr Lomax says he's borrowing from the team approach to sport to get students through their training and into work.
He says students convert the same determination and discipline that have in sport into education.
Mr Lomax, of Te Ati Awa, says if students start failing to turn up to tech, he'll pay them a visit at home.
