KEY POINTS:
A parole hearing for one of New Zealand's youngest killers has been adjourned until March.
Bailey Junior Kurariki, 18, is serving a seven-year jail sentence for the manslaughter of Auckland pizza deliverer Michael Choy who was beaten to death with a baseball bat in 2001.
Kurariki was one of five people who killed Mr Choy. He was 12 at the time.
The Parole Board after a hearing on Friday said it required a number of reports on housing and "relapse prevention" to be available for its March hearing.
"The board considers it is in the public's interest that your reintegration into the community starts and continues for the maximum time available," said Parole Board convener Judge Patrick Toomey.
"That time is now of the essence in light of your statutory release date."
Kurariki is due for release in September.
Earlier this month it was reported that Kurariki, who is serving his sentence at Hawke's Bay Prison's Maori focus unit, was released to attend the Maori rehab programme. But Corrections recalled him after it realised young children would be attending.
The course was run by Rotorua iwi, with children as young as nine attending.
Corrections Central regional manager Leanne Field said when Corrections approved prisoners' attendance it was unaware young children would be there.
- NZPA
