New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Keleti SEAU

Hearing: 5 November 2019

at Spring Hill Corrections Facility

Members of the Board:

• Sir Ron Young – Chairperson
• Mr P Elenio
• Dr J Skipworth

Support Persons:

• [withheld]
• [withheld]
• [withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Mr Seau was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder in 2008. He is 57 years of age. He has a minimum security classification. He had no previous convictions before the killing. He murdered his wife.
2. On 7 November 2018, we last saw Mr Seau. By then he had completed the Saili Matagi programme and was beginning the Drug Treatment Programme (DTP). He completed that in January 2019.  As a result, all rehabilitation programmes have been completed by him and all done apparently well.
3. In November last year, when we saw him, the Board noted that Mr Seau might need psychological help for the preparation of a safety plan.
4. As to the current position, the psychological report notes that Mr Seau did well on the DTP. He was then working initially in the refurbishment yard.
5. In June 2019, he went to Release to Work as a storeman. His employer speaks very highly of him, and they have said they will offer him permanent employment on release. He is assessed at low risk of general offending and moderate risk of family violence.
6. Mr Seau has the support of family. [withheld] have now forgiven him for the offending and are now supportive. Mr Seau was identified as someone who might do well on Te Whare Oranga Ake but given his moderate risk he is not eligible for such a release.
7. We are satisfied given the rehabilitation programmes Mr Seau has completed and together with his reintegration, and his release plan he can now be released. We are satisfied he is no longer an undue risk.
8. There is one issue relating to his release that needs to be identified. The original proposal was that he would be released to [withheld].  There seems to be some confusion about whether or not [withheld] will consent to the proposed accommodation at his residence. [withheld] who spoke to us today said that she was certain that he would consent. However, currently [withheld] has not formally signed the consent required with respect to the accommodation.
9. Therefore, although we are releasing Mr Seau today, that release is contingent upon [withheld] signing the consent form. Should that happen, then Mr Seau can be released. Should that not happen, this release will be revoked, and we will see him again by the end of February 2020.
10. We will release him on 26 November [2019] subject to the above. We will see him again by way of papers progress review by the end of April 2020. He will be released on the following conditions. As we have noted, we have added a monitoring condition to those suggested by Community Corrections.
11. The special conditions are:

    (1) To reside at [withheld] or any other address approved in writing by a Probation Officer, and not move from that address unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

    (2) To obtain the written approval of a Probation Officer before starting or changing your position and/or place of employment (including voluntary and unpaid work). To notify a Probation Officer if you leave your position of employment.

    (3) Not to possess, use, or consume alcohol, controlled drugs or psychoactive substances except controlled drugs prescribed for you by a health professional.

    (4) To attend, participate in and complete any rehabilitative programme, treatment and/or counselling as directed by a Probation Officer.

    (5) To attend and complete an appropriate alcohol and drug treatment I maintenance programme as directed by a Probation Officer.

    (6) To disclose to a Probation Officer, at the earliest opportunity, details of any intimate relationship you start, resume or terminate.

    (7) If directed, to comply with any direction made under section 29B(2)(b) of the Parole Act 2002 to attend a hearing at a time and place to be notified to you.