New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

Peter Steven WAIHAPE

Hearing: 25 January 2024

at Rolleston Prison via MS Teams

Members of the Board:

Sir Ron Young – Chairperson

Ms K Coutts

Mr G Coyle

Prof. P Brinded

In Attendance:  [withheld] – Principal Case Manager

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Mr Waihape who is 46 years of age was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder in 2005 and preventive detention for rape also in 2005. In addition, at the same time, he was sentenced to finite sentences for rape and abduction. The events occurred on 11 and 15 December 2005. He abducted a 17-year-old girl when she was walking home. [withheld]. Mr Waihape then went to {withheld] and described what he had done and then a few days later, he abducted a woman [withheld] raped her and then killed her. [withheld]. He tried to conceal the crime.
2. As to his past, he has five previous pages of property offending, breaches of sentences including and receiving thefts in an aggravated robbery. The first victim who was raped has described the extreme effect that this brutal crime has had on her.
3. This was his first appearance before the Board today. Overall, he seems to behave well with positive notes. There are a number of serious concerns about [withheld], which we will mention later in this decision which triggers our view as to the first stage of consideration of Mr Waihape and his situation in prison.
4. [withheld]. He began treatment in 2014 but withdrew his consent after seven sessions. At that stage, he was aggressive although not directly towards the psychologist. He has had no treatment since that time. The psychological report notes that he does need major group-based programmes including probably both the Adult Sex Offender Treatment Programme and the STU Violence Programme.
5. He is currently in the segregated part of the prison. He does not want to come out of the segregated section, while he takes that view that he would not be able to undertake either of the major programmes identified for him.
6. Today when we tried to talk to him, [withheld]. There were long gaps between the question and his response, but when he did respond he seemed to give answers that focused on the issue. He indicated that he understood that he would have significant rehabilitative work to do and that until he could complete that work and have testing on reintegration, he could not be released.
7. [withheld].
8. We think it is now time to try and be really clear [withheld]. That will be useful in identifying what treatment would be appropriate for Mr Waihape. It may also raise the question as to whether Mr Waihape [withheld]. We do not have the information to express any view of that currently, and so we ask today for [withheld] with regard to Mr Waihape.
9. We will see him again in July 2024 with the hope that report has been able to be prepared during that time. In the meantime, he remains an undue risk.