Zachary Lomax will most likely be a statistical anomaly when he starts his university studies this year.
The 16-year-old former Marlborough Boys' College student will probably be the youngest in his class when he starts a Bachelor of Science with mathematics and computer science at Auckland University next month.
His mum Debbie will also be moving from Rarangi to Auckland next week to help her son's transition into tertiary education.
Zachary, who finished year 13 last year, was excited about starting university and meeting like-minded people.
"I'm looking forward to going further with my studies. I do like having something to think about."
He was still in the process of sorting out his text books and other gear for university, but was getting used to the public transport system.
He had only been to Auckland a few times and chose it over Wellington because Auckland had better weather.
University was a natural progression from secondary school, but he was not sure if he would continue his study after getting his degree, he said. He did not know what he wanted to do when he graduated.
At last year's senior prizegiving, Zachary won a year 13 subject award for media studies and also the Te Rangatahi o Wairau Award for assistance with tertiary education.
Mum Debbie, originally from Auckland, is moving back there to support her son, packing up the family home in Rarangi after moving from Rotorua about two years ago.
She was working at boys' college as a long-term reliever covering another teacher's maternity leave and said moving back to Auckland was a good opportunity to find a permanent job.
"We just weren't sick of each other, I guess. If he was 18 I may have considered going somewhere else," she said.
The past few weeks had been hectic with finishing work, trying to find a new house, travelling to Auckland and trying to sell the family home, she said.
Zachary began talking in sentences as a baby before he was walking and once he knew what a mathematician was he knew what he wanted to be when he grew up, she said.
That view may have changed several years ago, but she was not worried about what he would decide to do as a career.
"Because he's so interested in science, computers and maths that tells me he will do fine. There's a lot of work in those areas."
A spokesman for Auckland University said it was "less common, but not unheard of" for 16-year-olds to be in their first year at the university.
- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG
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