New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

Emilio Richard Mac TANIRAU WHAANGA

Hearing: 8 December 2020

at Rimutaka Prison

Members of the Board: Judge A Tompkins – Panel Convenor

Ms S Driver

Ms C Tiumalu

Counsel:                                            Mr M Kilbride

Support Persons: (withheld)

In Attendance: (withheld) – Case Manager

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Emilio Tanirau Whaanga appears before the Board about to reach his parole eligibility date in respect to a three-year, three-month term of imprisonment imposed following conviction for manslaughter.  The offending arose when Mr Tanirau Whaanga became angry with a fellow shopper at a shopping mall in Lower Hutt whom he believed had parked in an incorrect car park.  After himself parking nearby he approached the victim, confronted him and then head-butted him, causing the victim to fall to the ground and fracture his skull and subsequently, despite medical intervention, the victim died.
2. Mr Tanirau Whaanga has a statutory release and sentence end date of 4 March 2023.  He was assisted at today's hearing by Mr Kilbride.  Mr Kilbride advised the Board that parole was not being sought today.  Mr Tanirau Whaanga will complete the MTR course he is currently undertaking and will also put before the Board in April of next year an approved address – there are at least two possibilities for that, but the address to which parole will be sought will be clarified and assessed before the next hearing.
3. In those circumstances parole is declined and Mr Tanirau Whaanga will be seen by the Board in April 2021.  He is aware that no promises or indication has been given as to the outcome of that hearing.