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Tame Iti walked out of Waikeria Prison at 5.30am this morning an almost-free man.
The Tūhoe activist is required by the terms of his parole to live in Ruatoki until October 2014, when his 20 month sentence on weapons charges officially ends.
After a celebratory cappuccino in a Hamilton cafe, Mr Iti attended a kawe mate service at Hukanui Marae in Gordonton for his mother Te Inuwai, who died two years ago.
There was then a powhiri for his supporters, including Mana leader Hone Harawira, Māori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell and Green MPs Dave Clendon and Catherine Delahunty, followed by a media conference.
Mr Clendon says Mr Iti was looking well after nine months in prison.
Mr Iti told the media life was too short to feel bitter about his treatment, but that even for someone with his experience, he found prison a challenging environment.
His lawyer Russell Fairbrother says papers have been filed with the Supreme Court for an appeal against conviction.
The other imprisoned member of the Urewera Four, Te Rangikaiwhiria Kemara, will be paroled from Springhill prison next Monday.
Copyright © 2013, Uma Broadcasting Ltd
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