Editorial: Revoking parole is right decision

The Parole Board said the decision is based on information it had received from the Corrections Department on February 28. Photo / Stephen Parker

The New Zealand Parole Board is often criticised for releasing prisoners whom the public deem should be kept behind bars.

But this week it released a decision that would no doubt please most New Zealanders.

Lisa Kuka, the mother of murdered and abused Rotorua 3-year-old, Nia Glassie, has had her parole revoked.

Lisa Michelle Kuka was granted parole last month because the board said she no longer posed an undue risk to the community.

She was due to be released on April 7.

But something has changed since then - which is not public knowledge - and now that decision has been revoked.

The Parole Board said the decision is based on information it had received from the Corrections Department on February 28.

Kuka started her nine-year sentence for the manslaughter of her daughter on February 4, 2009.

Her then partner, Wiremu Curtis, and his brother Michael were sentenced to life imprisonment for the little girl's murder.

Nia died on August 3, 2007, from head injuries after being repeatedly kicked.

So Kuka has only been behind bars for five years of her nine-year sentence. That simply isn't long enough.

There was outrage when the Parole Board made their decision last month and rightly so. Five years is not long enough for what Nia went through.

At least she will be behind bars for a little longer.