She said the "whole affair is very sad ... there are no winners ... "
In February 1997 Anderson went on his deadly rampage at his family's ski lodge in Raurimu, 34km southeast of Taumaranui.
The former dental technician was found not guilty by reason of insanity on six murder and four attempted murder charges. He was then treated as a special patient in a secure hospital unit.
John Crawshaw, director of mental health, said it was an important part of rehabilitation of special patients that they participated in day-to-day release activities.
When making a decision around any leave there is "a careful assessment" of what level of risk the patient might pose at that time to the public and "whether the proposed management and leave plan will address any risk assessed as being present and hence mitigate any risk to the public.
"Before any increase in rehabilitation leave is granted the patient's progress, response to the leave programme, risk assessment and management plan is carefully reviewed."
Almost 18 years on from the shootings which shocked the nation, Anderson was described by Inverlochy Art School as a "patient and talented tutor and artist".
David Van de Wetering - whose father was killed and whose brother was shot and injured by Anderson - said: "He is a man who has shown no remorse."
Anderson has not responded to Herald on Sunday approaches.
