Tawera Johnson, 24, was jailed for five years and one month after admitting counts of wounding with intent to injure, injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and threatening to kill in 2024.
When he appeared before the Parole Board at the end of last year, panel convener Richard Marchant KC noted the Christchurch Prison inmate was not expecting to be released.
Johnson had completed a high-intensity drug and alcohol programme while locked up but was yet to undertake a recommended group therapy course.
Though he had no formal misconducts while in jail, he had been warned for possessing gang paraphernalia more than once.
"[Johnson] said that he had built relationships with members of the [redacted]. He said the reason he had was because they provided him security in the prison setting," Mr Marchant said.
Johnson was drinking in central Dunedin in September 2023, when he was invited to the home of a stranger to continue socialising.
However, he was asked to leave after huffing hairspray.
Once outside, Johnson called his partner and requested she bring him his Japanese-style katana sword.
When he had the weapon, he tried to talk his way back into the flat and when that was unsuccessful, challenged the victims to a fight.
He unsheathed the sword when they arrived and told them: "I’m going to cut your f...... neck off".
Johnson’s first blow wounded someone’s shoulder, while the second caused a large gash running from the ear to the cheekbone of the second victim.
At sentencing, the court heard the man sustained scarring, nerve damage and impaired hearing.
Though Johnson had no previous convictions, he admitted earlier committing a similar attack with more severe consequences for which he was never charged.
He told the Parole Board he was determined to do all rehabilitation necessary to create "solid foundations" for his eventual release.
"He is clearly an intelligent man and has insight into the causes of his offending," Mr Marchant said.
Johnson said he planned to attend residential rehabilitation when he got out.
Parole was declined. He will see the board again in July. His sentence expires in October 2028.
