Hawthorn's driving claimed four lives in two separate crashes, and he has convictions for a string of driving-related offences dating back to 1979, including 11 for drink-driving.
In 2004, he was sentenced to 10 years' prison with a minimum non-parole period of six years for the manslaughter of Lance Fryer, 34, who was killed in a high-speed crash in Wairarapa in June 2003.
At last month's hearing the Parole Board was told that Hawthorn wanted to live with his partner, who was present for the hearing, when he was released from prison at the end of his sentence on June 4.
Hawthorn had been denied parole on three occasions, the last in 2011.
At the time of Mr Fryer's death, Hawthorn did not have a driving licence and was in breach of bail conditions which banned him from drinking. He had been drinking on June 3, 2003 before he persuaded Mr Fryer to go with him from Carterton to Wellington so they could visit nightclubs.
On their drive back early the next morning, a police radar clocked Hawthorn at 167km/h on a straight on the Wairarapa side of the Rimutaka Hill road.
Police pursued him to Greytown, where he was driving so fast he was unable to stop when a car pulled out in front. Hawthorn lost control of his car, which slammed into a power pole, killing Mr Fryer.
The crash was less than 1km from the scene of his first fatal crash in 1989. The then 26-year-old crashed into an oncoming vehicle, killing his passengers Peter Gay and John Kaukau. APNZ
Hawthorn's history
11 drink-drive convictions
2 fatal crashes
4 people killed
