David Tamihere's Parole Board has requested a report on his suitability for "residential restrictions", for his release.

A teenager on home detention chased a police officer with a nailgun in the Otago town of Cromwell early this morning, before crashing during a police pursuit.

The convicted violent criminal who lived in Government minister Paula Bennett's home is out of prison - and has been kicked out of the country.

Convicted double-murderer David Tamihere - who killed two Swedish tourists in 1990 - has had his first proper taste of freedom in 21 years.

Forty-three of NZ's most dangerous criminals have been convicted of serious violent offences committed while they were already on parole.

A 19-year-old has been sentenced to two years jail for the manslaughter of a mother of three who was burned to death in her south Auckland home.

The Government is considering a proposal to limit the sale of knives to young people amid concerns over the number of knife crimes.