KEY POINTS:
Rita Croskery has attended more than 20 parole board hearings since her son - pizza delivery man Michael Choy - was murdered and she expects to attend at least that many more in the next few years.
"I'm doing it for Michael, because that's what I said to
him [when he died] - that I would do what I could to keep these people behind bars for as long as possible because we want justice," she told the Weekend Herald last night.
Mrs Croskery has seen Casie Rawiri and Lisa Marie Waikato released after serving sentences for their role in the fatal attack on her son in 2001.
Next month, Bailey Junior Kurariki - the youngest of the nine youths who were arrested - will also leave prison.
But Kurariki's release will not mean an end to the parole board hearings which Mrs Croskery has tirelessly attended for the past five years.
Joe Kaukasi, Riki Rapira, Alexander Tokorua Peihopa, Whatarangi Rawiri and Phillip Kaukasi all still remain behind bars and Mrs Croskery has vowed to make sure each of them stays there for as long as possible.
Since the hearings started she has attended them every couple of months, normally starting with Kurariki's in January and ending with Phillip Kaukasi's in December.
Some of the hearings are annual, and others are brought forward to every six months as the release date draws near.
The next hearings she will attend are in July for Joe Kaukasi and Rapira, both of whom have a chance of being released next year.
Mrs Croskery said attending each hearing was difficult but something she felt compelled to do, not just for her son but society.
"It's about prevention as well. If you don't go along you don't know what [the parole board] is going to do. It does make a difference when you appear.
"I have been to every single one that we have had and I will keep going. People think just because that little brat [Kurariki] is out now that is the end of it but it's not."
Prison Fellowship director Kim Workman is calling for the community to support Kurariki when he is released on home detention next month.
"New Zealanders have always been known for giving people a fair go. In the past, Bailey has been withdrawn from rehabilitation programmes and staged reintegration outings, because of public protest. This has hampered his transition back into the community.
"Any further harassment may lessen his chances of leading an offence-free life. It could also be instrumental in producing yet another victim - we need to avoid that possibility."
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
CASIE RAWIRI
Released. She was 21 when she was jailed for 2 1/2 years for theft and 4 1/2 for attempted aggravated robbery.
WHATARANGI RAWIRI
Still in jail. She was 17 when jailed for life for murder. She also got 6 years for aggravated robbery and 4 years for attempted aggravated robbery. Due for release in 2011.
PHILLIP KAUKASI
Still in jail. He was 17 when he got 12 years for manslaughter, 7 years aggravated robbery and 4 years for attempted aggravated robbery. Due for release in 2013.
JOE KAUKASI
Still in jail. Next parole hearing in July. He was 15 when he got 8 1/2 years for manslaughter and 6 years for aggravated robbery. Possible release next year, mandatory release 2010.
RIKI RAPIRA
Still in jail. Next parole hearing in July. He was 16 when he got 9 years for manslaughter and 6 years for aggravated robbery. Mandatory release in 2010.
ALEXANDER TOKORUA PEIHOPA
Still in jail. He was 16 when jailed for life after being found guilty of murder. He also got 5 years for aggravated robbery, 3 years for attempted robbery and 2 1/2 years for theft. Due for release 2011.
BAILEY JUNIOR KURARIKI
Due to be released on home detention next month. He was 13 when he was jailed for 7 years for manslaughter.
LISA MARIE WAIKATO
Released. She was 20 when was jailed for 21 months for theft and accessory after the fact. She was released on home detention in October 2002.
