New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing
Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

Donovan Taketake HORI

Hearing: 4 February 2021

At Whanganui Prison by AVL from New Zealand Parole Board Office, Wellington

Members of the Board:

Ms M Coleman – Panel Convener
Sir K Workman
Mr C King

Counsel: Ms D Goodlet

In Attendance:

[withheld] – Case Manager
[withheld] – Principal Corrections Officer
Support Persons: [withheld] 
[withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Donovan Taketake Hori, who is aged 50, appeared before the Board today for further
consideration of parole on a five-year nine month sentence for wounding with intent to
commit grievous bodily harm, participating in an organised criminal group, wounding with
intent to injure our and common assault.
2. These offences occurred on the same day. Mr Hori was the initiator of violence against
victims who were members of the Rebels Motorcycle Club.
3. This is the first prison term for Mr Hori since 1990. That was the last time he was convicted
of violent offending as well.
4. Mr Hori has completed the Drug Treatment Programme. There is a very positive report of
his engagement in the programme. More generally, Mr Hori has played a leadership role
within the whare. He acted as a de facto mentor on the MTP, engaging in similar sessions.
5. His role was explained in more detail by the PCO and by the facilitator of the DTP today.
The PCO said that during the COVID-19 lockdown, Mr Hori took over the role of assisting
the facilitation of tikanga programmes within the unit because the facilitator was not able
to come into the prison. He said that this was a big step by Mr Hori and he is a valued
member of the Rūnanga.
6. The DTP facilitator spoke about the unusual step of having both father and son in the
same unit. Mr Hori’s son was a co-offender. While Mr Hori's son told the Board earlier
today that he did not hold his father responsible for his involvement in the offending,
Mr Hori Senior, rightly in our view, takes that responsibility onto himself. Mr Hori was a
senior member in Black Power and it was at his instigation that the assault on members
of the Rebels took place. That said, Mr Hori agrees with his son that being housed
together in the same unit in the prison has enabled them to develop a better relationship
as a result of their shared experience in prison. The Board is confident that there will be
enduring benefits from that and it has no real concerns about releasing them to the same
address.
7. Mr Hori will be released on parole. He has completed the rehabilitation programme that
he has been identified for. His RoC*RoI has been recalculated and he is now eligible for
medium intensity programmes. Nevertheless, it has been determined by the prison that
he does not need to undertake an MTP. In the circumstances, the Board sees no reason
to second-guess that decision by the prison.
8. Mr Hori was represented at today's hearing by Ms Goodlet. She submits that in all the
circumstances, including are Mr Hori’s reflection on the poor judgement that he exercised
on the day along with the changes in his views generally and about alcohol as well that he
would not pose an undue risk to the safety of the community if he was released back to
whānau. As we have indicated, the Board agrees with that assessment. In our view, the
fact that Mr Hori’s son has received a significant prison sentence has assisted him to really
focus on the consequences of his decisions on that day. He is a man with leadership
potential and he needs to ensure that he uses that for good only. Mr Hori himself
recognises that he needs to ensure that he stops to think before making a poor decision
again.
9. Mr Hori will be released on 17 February 2021. He will be subject to standard and special
conditions for two years following that date.
10. One of those conditions is that he is not to possess or consume alcohol or drugs. Mr Hori
needs to understand that his compliance with that condition can be monitored once he is
in the community.
11. The special conditions are as follows:
(1) To reside at [withheld] Taranaki, 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.
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(2) To attend an alcohol and drug assessment, and attend, participate in and
complete any treatment or counselling directed by a Probation Officer.
(3) Not to possess, use, or consume alcohol, controlled drugs or psychoactive
substances except controlled drugs prescribed for you by a health professional.
(4) Not to have contact or otherwise associate, with any victim of your offending,
[including previous offending] directly or indirectly, unless you have the prior written
approval of a Probation Officer.
“Please note: you may be required to undergo a drug or alcohol test and or submit to drug
or alcohol monitoring.”

M Coleman
Panel Convenor