Parole declined despite efforts to turn life around

THE former Dunedin gang member who embezzled $20,000 of Whanau Ora funds to buy drugs fakor the Notorious Mongrel Mob will remain behind bars despite efforts to turn his life around.

Korrey Teeati Cook was jailed in December 2012 for six years and nine months after $20,000 of Whanau Ora funding intended for the We Against Violence Trust — which was linked to gang members — was instead used to buy cannabis for the gang.

The 41yearold was also convicted of conspiring with others to sell cannabis and two charges of possessing cannabis for supply.

Cook appeared before the New Zealand Parole Board earlier this month, where it was revealed he had severed ties to the gang and had been studying towards a bachelor of arts.

He had sought release on parole, but he remained an undue risk, the board said.

‘‘He had written an articulate letter to the board emphasising work completed on rehabilitation through a number of pro grammes,’’ the board’s decision said.

‘‘Mr Cook has presented a detailed release plan. He is approaching the end of his studies to attain a BA in psychology.

‘‘The Parole Assessment Report notes graduation from the rehabilitation programme for highrisk offenders and that a reintegration hui was held on 8 June 2017.’’

A psychological assessment found Cook remained at high risk of general and violent reoffending.

If released, Cook would have employment available and the support of his parents.

‘‘Mr Cook himself assured the board of his resolve not to reoffend,’’ the board said.

‘‘He emphasised the programmes he had completed and also his engagement in the rehabilitation programme for highrisk offenders.

‘‘He told the board he is no longer interested in drugs and has severed all connections with the gang.

‘‘The board’s concern is that the important changes Mr Cook has made . . . have not been tested over time and circumstance. The board would wish to see some reintegrative activity such as guided releases, or release to work.’’

The board acknowledged the changes Cook had made, but said: ‘‘He is a person who is at high risk of general and violent reoffending and without successful reintegrative progress must be seen as an undue risk to the safety of the community.’’

Parole was declined. Cook will next appear before the board in February next year.

The drug plot was uncovered by police after officers intercepted calls in which Cook told others the Dunedin chapter of the Notorious Mongrel Mob was seen as a model for other chapters of the gang on how to receive Whanau Ora funding from Te Puni Kokiri (the Ministry of Maori Development).

They revealed Cook was being mentored through the funding process by senior national gang members elsewhere in New Zealand and he was mentoring another local gang on how to obtain government funding.