Raymond Wahia Ratima (54) was jailed for life in 1992 after being found guilty of killing seven people, including three of his own children, on a murderous rampage in Masterton.
This month the Parole Board convened at Rolleston Prison for his first hearing in four years.
Board chairman Sir Ron Young said there were still concerns the man lacked insight into his crimes, despite nearly 100 sessions with a psychologist since 2013.
"Mr Ratima throughout the hearing stressed how much he loved his children. When we asked him, therefore, why he had killed them, he said he felt he then was putting them in a better place," Sir Ron said.
"Overall, therefore, we were not especially confident that Mr Ratima had truly understood the circumstances under which he came to kill these members of his family, including not just his own children, but the babysitter, partner and others."
The board also heard the prisoner was now in a relationship with a woman he met in his early teens.
The pair met when Ratima was on a guided release about four years ago and there had been regular visits and phone contact between them.
"It is no exaggeration to say that the woman that Mr Ratima is in a relationship with is fragile. She had a childhood trauma that caused or contributed to a serious drug addiction," said Sir Ron.
"Some of the comments she made to the probation officer were of concern, including the fact that relating to the murders ‘there are two sides to all issues’.’’
Ratima’s answers to questions about the relationship did little to convince the board he understood the risks.
"All of this causes us some concern. The relationship is untested. Mr Ratima and the women have only ever had prison visits and telephone calls. The stress of daily living has never been part of their relationship. And the woman has a troubled past and seems to be vulnerable," Sir Ron said.
"Mr Ratima seemed to us to be unable to understand the worrying connections between the past and his current situation."
There were, however, positives the Parole Board highlighted.
Ratima was described as "respectful" in the prison confines and there were glowing reports about his work inside jail.
Given the work he had done with the psychologist, Corrections said there was no need for further rehabilitative programmes.
Ratima will next come before the board in October next year.
