Questions raised over Auckland councillors receiving freebies from Eden Park and major changes are being proposed to electorates in the lower North Island. Video / NZ Herald, Getty
Notorious New Zealand criminal Dean Wickliffe has been released from prison effective immediately, bringing to end his hunger strike which has lasted over two weeks.
A New Zealand Parole Board spokesperson confirmed Wickliffe appeared before the Board on Wednesday afternoon.
“While the Board determined that the grounds of the recallapplication were made out, it exercised their discretion to order his release.
“The Board considered Mr Wickliffe’s accommodation and support proposal adequately addressed the risk.”
A member of Wickliffe’s team this afternoon said: “There’s just a great sense of relief.”
He went on a hunger strike on March 10, telling supporters he is prepared to die for his cause. He wanted to be released from prison with no parole conditions.
Dean Wickliffe claims he was assaulted in Springhill prison by guards at the beginning of the month, sparking a 16-day hunger strike. Photo / Dean Wickliffe
On March 18 the Herald reported the Wickliffe had told his lawyer he’d lost 17kg during the first eight days of his hunger strike.
The 77-year-old was transferred to Waikato Hospital on Monday, with what his legal team said was suspected kidney failure.
“We know that he has impaired kidney function – he reported this on Saturday following a medical checkup,” a member of Wickliffe’s legal team told the Herald on Monday.
