Minister challenged over released rapist's disappearance

Corrections and Police Minister Judith Collins was taken to task in Parliament today over the disappearance of released prisoner and convicted rapist Maka Renata.

Renata, 24, was released from prison in December after serving a 10-year sentence for two rapes, but absconded from Napier nearly three weeks ago, breaching his prison release conditions. It was the second time since his release that Renata, who first committed rape when he was 14, had allegedly breached release conditions.

Labour law and order spokesman Clayton Cosgrove questioned comments Ms Collins made in November about an intensive plan being put in place to manage Renata's integration after his release, and all steps possible being taken to protect the public.

He asked Ms Collins when she was advised that Renata was on the run and how long it took for his victims to be advised.

Ms Collins said she didn't have that information, but responses to such incidents came from police rather than her and the public needed to have confidence in that department's abilities.

She said she had asked relevant agencies to take any action they could in response to Renata, and that an extended supervision order was applied for in November when he was still in prison. That was yet to be granted by the courts.

Mr Cosgrove accused Ms Collins of washing her hands of responsibility for protecting the public from Renata.

He said it was unacceptable for the minister to be the recipient of a prepared question in the House yet be unable to provide details such as dates.

That sparked a flurry of slanging and points of order from MPs which came to an end when Labour MP Trevor Mallard defied a ruling from Speaker Lockwood Smith that no more points of order were to be raised. Mr Mallard was ordered from the House.

- NZPA