'Beast' moving into Turia's street

Stewart Murray Wilson, the man dubbed The Beast of Blenheim. Photo / File

Te Tai Hauauru MP and Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia will have serial sex offender Stewart Murray Wilson as a neighbour when he is released from prison next month.

Wilson has been paroled to a house in Kaitoke, apparently on the same street as Ms Turia.

The decision by the Department of Corrections to re-house Wilson - dubbed the "Beast Of Blenheim" - near Wanganui has caused outrage among locals.

Wilson must legally be freed from prison on September 1 despite the Parole Board identifying him as being at a high risk of reoffending.

Mrs Turia said she would like to look into the laws around re-housing sex offenders.

"While we as a town are dealing with this issue today, the bigger issue here is about the law.

"It is about protecting our communities from high risk offences. It is about the relationship between central government agencies and our local bodies. And it is also about mechanisms for ensuring that communities have a say over what happens within their district."

In an email to Wanganui District councillors, Mrs Turia signed off with "Tariana Turia, Pauri Rd, Kaitoke", identifying herself as a future neighbour of Wilson's.