New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

Blair Wiremu TAMIHANA

Hearing: 12 February 2021

at Otago Corrections Facility

by AVL from New Zealand Parole Board, Wellington

Members of the Board: Ms T Williams Blyth (Panel Convenor)

Assoc. Prof. K Quince

Mr S A M Perry

In Attendance: (withheld) (Case Manager)

(withheld)

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Blair Tamihana (45) appears for consideration of parole on a three-year eight-month sentence for attempted murder.
2. Mr Tamihana has some previous offending largely related to driving.
3. His sentence end date is 28 December 2022.  He has approximately one year 10 months left on his sentence.
4. Mr Tamihana's offending involved serious violence against his then partner of 11 months.  After appearing in Court on a strangulation charge and being granted bail, Mr Tamihana subsequently attempted to murder his then partner.  During the violent incident Mr Tamihana attempted to gas himself and his partner.
5. The parole assessment report advises that Mr Tamihana is polite, honest, and respectful.  He was initially coerced into a gang but is now distancing himself.  He believed he was recruited to access his vehicle and belongings.
6. The Board have a (withheld) report dated 8 March 2021.  Mr Tamihana is (withheld) of the (withheld) health services.  He has a history of excessive alcohol, cannabis, and methamphetamine use.  There have also been multiple attempts to (withheld).  Mr Tamihana is managed well on (withheld).
7. The sentence plan is to complete the drug treatment programme (DTP) as well as the medium intensity rehabilitation programme (MIRP).  Mr Tamihana has completed the DTP and asks to be released on parole to complete MIRP in the community.
8. Mr Tamihana is sincerely remorseful for what he did.  He says that he had not dealt with his issues including (withheld) after being together for some years.  He knows he should have dealt with his issues in a better way.  When a protection order was put in place he moved to (withheld) in the hope that things would change but it made things worse.
9. A positive development for Mr Tamihana is that he has engaged with (withheld) from the (withheld) group.  (withheld) counselling is also being organised.  Mr Tamihana is motivated to address his (withheld) issues.
10. He is no longer in a relationship with the victim.  He has not heard from her since September last year and has made no attempts to contact her.
11. Mr Tamihana is waitlisted for accommodation with (withheld) but he has decided that he wishes to return to (withheld) in (withheld).  The address has not been assessed.
12. The PCO commented that Mr Tamihana is a complex person to manage.  He is distancing himself from the gang, but it is difficult sometimes in the prison environment.  Due to his decision to distance himself, Mr Tamihana has decided not to go to work.  He is described as one of their best workers.
13. They will work with Mr Tamihana to see if he can be placed in self-care.
14. Mr Tamihana’s offending was very serious, he has completed the DTP but is yet to complete MIRP.  In addition, he does not have a release plan and has started addressing issues from his (withheld)
15. In those circumstances Mr Tamihana remains an undue risk and parole is declined.  Mr Tamihana will be seen for further consideration of parole in September 2021 and no later than 30 September 2021.
16. The Board encourage Mr Tamihana to complete rehabilitation and develop a strong safety plan and release plan.