KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's youngest killer, Bailey Junior Kurariki, was denied parole because of a history of violence in prison and because he remains a very high risk to society.
The 17-year-old was just 12 when he and several teenagers killed 40-year-old South Auckland pizza delivery man Michael Choy in 2001.
He was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for manslaughter and was refused parole when he first came up for consideration last year because he was considered dangerous.
Yesterday afternoon, the Parole Board released its full report from Kurariki's latest hearing on Tuesday this week.
The report says: "The psychologist ... assesses Mr Kurariki as continuing to be at very high risk of general and violent reoffending."
It says he also demonstrated an immaturity and distorted understanding of society.
He can look forward to another hearing in July - but he has been warned that he is unlikely to be let out then because of the danger he still poses to society.
The parole decision provides an insight into Kurariki's mind after five years and four months behind bars.
"We are not satisfied that he understands the dynamic factors that underpinned his offending at the age of 12, or indeed since ... against prison rules and discipline."
It says Kurariki has clearly demonstrated a "willingness to offend against others in a violent way, either when he is under stress or seeking to establish that position in the group he believes is his".
He has not been involved in any violent outbreaks since July last year, but the report says: "We are concerned whether that change is merely temporary and designed for parole."
There are some positives. The report says Kurariki is "anxious" to be released and has learned much during his time in jail.
He has completed courses which have taught him about his offending and given him an understanding of life skills. He also says he has learned a greater appreciation of his family and wants to be back with them to start a new life.
Kurariki's father said his son had a job waiting for him when he was released and the decision notes the teenager is "intelligent and with considerable potential".
Now entering his adult years, Kurariki has a "strong sense of independence and self-focus".
But the board was not satisfied the courses he has done have had sufficient effect to remove the temptation to reoffend. It says prison has substituted for maturing in a normal community environment, leaving Kurariki "quite immature".
Kurariki's father, mother and sister supported him at the hearing.
But the report suggests the family lack the "skills and wherewithal" to provide the necessary supervision and oversight.
And it warns that the environment he would be released to "harbours significant potentially adverse influences".
Judge David Carruthers, Parole Board chairman, said yesterday the decision recognised the work that needed to be done before Kurariki was released back into the community.
"While the decision acknowledges the work that the offender has done, it recognises there is still some way to go," he said.
Mr Choy's mother, Rita Croskery, who spoke against Kurariki's release, welcomed the decision, but said having another hearing in July would put her family under extra pressure.
She said prisoners like Kurariki should be held until they had completed their sentences, and then start parole.
"These young people shouldn't be paroled until they're mature enough."
Kurariki must be released in September next year because by then he will have served his entire jail term.
The decision warns that "time is of the essence" in preparing the teenager for release "if the safety of the community is to be ensured".
