New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Ziggy Stardust BUCKERIDGE

Hearing: 28 October 2022

at Otago Corrections Facility via Microsoft Teams

Members of the Board:

Sir R Young – Chairperson

Mr P Elenio

Ms T Sharkey

Prof P Brinded

In Attendance:  [withheld]– Case Manager

Support persons: [withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Mr Buckeridge who is of 61 of age was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder in 1992. He had two pages of previous convictions prior to the murder and he has had recalls in 2005 and 2011.
2. We saw him last on Wednesday of this week. We had noted on previous Parole Board hearings that Mr Buckeridge had completed all of his rehabilitation, he had been undertaking a timber processing apprenticeship, he was in self-care, he had guided releases and releases for shopping.
3. It was accepted that he was ready for release but did not have appropriate accommodation.  [withheld] had accepted him for their waitlist. Unfortunately, Mr Buckeridge has not been able to get to the top of the waitlist yet but it is hoped that may not be too far away. Mr Buckeridge accepted today that he did not have accommodation and therefore remains an undue risk.
4. We will see him again by the end of April 2023. We made the strong point both to Mr Buckeridge and to his case manager [withheld] that should a date be available before the April Parole Board date, then an application under section 26 of the Parole Act could be made for an urgent hearing to reflect the availability of accommodation.