Teen killers denied parole

Michael Choy was bashed to death in 2001 for his pizzas and $200 in takings. Photo / supplied

The teen killers of Auckland pizza delivery man Michael Choy have been denied parole.

Alexander Peihopa, now 25, and Whatarangi Rawiri, 27, had separate Parole Board hearings earlier this month.

In its decisions released today, the board said it was too early for Peihopa, the "designated hitter" in the murder, to be released.

Mr Choy's mother had expressed a strong wish for Peihopa to make "dramatic and permanent" changes in his behaviour and attitude and that no one else should suffer in the terrible way she and her family had, the board said.

Peihopa was in the middle of a rehabilitation programme that would give him the tools to avoid certain behaviour and thought processes in future.

"In spite of the very good support which Mr Peihopa clearly has from family and others, there is no possibility of him being released on parole today and it must be declined," the board said.

Peihopa was the one who struck Mr Choy with a baseball bat.

"He expressed enormous sorrow and regret about that and we do not have any doubt that this was genuine. However, important work remains to be done and that prevents our making any other decision today.".

Peihopa would be reassessed in February.

The board also rejected a bid for early release from Rawiri, saying she was a central part of the "dreadful murder".

It said she had been living in a self-care prison unit since September and had also applied to be added to the release-to-work scheme for inmates.

A proposal for Rawiri to live in a "halfway house" was supported but the board said the arrangement needed to be reviewed and reported on.

The board declined Rawiri's bid for parole but said it would be reviewed in February.

Mr Choy, 40, was bashed to death in 2001 for his pizzas and $200 in takings.

Twelve-year-old Bailey Junior Kurariki was also jailed for Mr Choy's manslaughter - making him New Zealand's youngest convicted killer at the time.

He was released from jail in 2008. He was sent back inside in May this year for 14 months after being convicted of a domestic violence incident and a separate assault.