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The Probation Board says jailed former Wellington Tenths Trust chair Sir Ngatata Love poses little risk of reoffending, but he will be barred from any direct or indirect involvement with the affairs of the Tenths or the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust until April 2019.
Dr Love is serving a sentence of two years six months imprisonment after being found guilty of concealing a $3 million payment from a developer to use Tenths land near parliament, and with his partner Lorraine Skiffington diverting money into accounts they controlled.
He will be released on parole in early October after spending a year in Rimutaka Prison.
The conviction and sentence were unsuccessfully appealed on the grounds Dr Love should not have stood trial because of health reasons, but he did not challenge the factual findings of the judgment.
The 79-year-old has been diagnosed with either mild or moderate dementia, but the panel said he was able to express himself well and cogently during lengthy questioning and discussion.
He maintained, as he had at trial, that he had no knowledge of the events which formed the backbone of the Crown’s case and he placed the entire blame upon Ms Skiffington and her accountant.
The panel says denial of offending is not a reason to deny parole is declined, and the issue comes back to the risk of causing harm.
It says Dr Love assured it he has no desire or intention to participate in any matters involving finances or trusts.
He was being released because of his advanced age, some compromised mental functioning, declining physical health; and strength of family and community support.
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