But after a hearing on December 6 the Parole Board granted Moanaroa an early release from prison.
His sentence end date is March 8, 2020.
The board said Moanaroa's offending was serious, but his previous convictions were "limited".
He has one conviction for driving with excess blood alcohol and one for disorderly behaviour.
The board heard that Moanaroa had completed adult sex offender and drug treatment programmes.
While in prison, Moanaroa worked "outside the wire" on a dairy farm and had devised a safety plan for his release with the help of his whanau.
The board saw that as "positive".
"[He was] able to discuss his past behaviour and to develop strategies should they see him regressing," the Parole Board report, released today, stated.
"For his part, Mr Moanaroa undertook to be more open and honest about how he was feeling and to ask for help."
Members of Moanaroa's whanau said they would be "persistent in voicing any concerns to him" and would work closely with his probation officer.
The board said communication was a matter that Moanaroa needed to continue to work on.
"Mr Moanaroa went on to say that he understands now that he behaved as he did then because he was hurting and he wanted to hurt his partner back," the parole report said.
"He told the board that he does not like the person that he had become at that time but he does like the person he is now."
The board agreed to Moanaroa's release - but set a number of strict conditions.
"The board has reached the view that Mr Moanaroa would not pose an undue risk to the safety of the community," said board panel convener Martha Coleman.
"That view takes into account the special conditions that we intend to impose on release, one of which will be that he will be subject to partial residential restrictions until he is
seen again by the Board in June 2018.
"Another of the conditions is that Mr Moanaroa is not to possess or consume alcohol or drugs.
"He was made aware at the hearing today that his compliance with that condition can be monitored, either continually or by being directed to undertake a test once he is in the community."
Moanaroa was ordered to abide by a curfew for the first two months of his release and submit to electronic monitoring.
His conditions also include undertaking and completing appropriate treatment or counselling if directed; to disclose at the earliest opportunity, the start or resumption of any intimate relationship; and not to contact or associate with his victim.
He has also been ordered to attend a further hearing in June to enable the Parole Board to monitor his compliance with his release conditions.
