New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Kino Hoki MATETE

Hearing: 29 May 2019

at Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility via AVL to Christchurch Men’s Prison

Members of the Board:

• Sir Ron Young – Chairperson
• Mr N Trendle
• Assoc Prof. P Brinded

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Kino Hoki Matete was sentenced to preventive detention in 2006 for a significant number of violent offences. She is currently on minimum security classification. Since her imprisonment there have been three serious violent offences within the prison and she has a long list of previous convictions for violent offending.
2. We saw Ms Matete last in May 2018 for her second Board appearance. She had then completed the Kowhiritanga Programme and was making some progress on the problem of violence in her life. It was then suggested she should do the Kimihia (Violence Prevention Programme) which is a new programme suggested for her.
3. As to the position now, we have a recent psychological report. The psychologist notes that she still has a number of concerning attitudes and her concrete thinking is of concern. There was an incident of fighting in prison. Ms Matete said that was a minor incident but it did show that in an angry confrontation there could still be some inappropriate physical contact. She accepts that to progress further she will need to avoid such situations in the future. However, beyond that generally there has been positive interaction within the prison.
4. As far as the Kimihea programme is concerned, it is now suggested that would not be appropriate for her because it involved group therapy and in any event Ms Matete said she was not prepared to do it given her past involvement in group programmes. She now has employment in the kitchen and gym and has had very positive feedback and is a trusted prisoner.
5. She remains at high risk of violent offending.
6. The psychologist noted that given the issues we have identified, further one on one treatment would be valuable and Ms Matete accepts that and has agreed to do so. It has not yet begun.
7. She has also had contact with [withheld]. She is keen to continue her involvement and they, together with her, will develop a reintegration plan which involves participation with them over a 12 month period before realistic consideration of release.
8. In addition, Ms Matete wants to do the release to work programme. She has got herself down to minimum classification and will apply to do that also over the next 12 months.
9. Ms Matete does not wish to be involved in self-care in the prison.  She says it is not for her but has been told that she can do release to work from the employment hub where she is currently residing.
10. We think the way forward as we have noted is clear. She needs to complete one on one psychological counselling; she needs to try and pursue the release to work programme and participate in the [withheld] reintegration programme in prison.
11. We will see her again in 12 months time, by the end of May 2020. In the meantime, she remains an undue risk.