Nicholas Michael Kawana, 61, was jailed for life over the fatal shooting of his second cousin Mark Waihape in Nightcaps in 2006.
He was initially released 12 years later, but has been recalled to prison several times after he was caught using drugs while on parole.
In 2019, Kawana was jailed for using cannabis, in 2020 he tested positive for methamphetamine use and this year he was found to have used cannabis again.
He was given a nine-month suspended sentence when he appeared before the Dunedin District Court in June.
Despite the breaches, the Parole Board at a hearing last month pared back the restrictions it initially imposed on Kawana.
Panel convener Neville Trendle cancelled the requirement Kawana submit to electronic monitoring, as it was "no longer required for the purpose for which it was imposed".
An 8pm-8am curfew was also relaxed to 10pm-8am.
If Kawana stayed out of trouble the curfew would be cancelled in December, the board ruled.
In 2006, while being pressed for payment of a drug debt, Kawana retrieved a shotgun and shot Mr Waihape, who had approached him with a hunting knife.
The family of the victim stressed their opposition to the defendant entering Southland, and the ban from the region remained in place.
The Parole Board heard Kawana had been regularly engaging with a drug-and-alcohol counsellor and Corrections described his engagement with his Probation officer as "adequate".
However, Kawana’s engagement around topics that involved his associates or supports tended to be "somewhat superficial", the Department of Corrections said.
A psychological report turned up nothing of concern, Mr Trendle said.
Among Kawana’s remaining parole conditions were: a ban from alcohol and drugs; a requirement to attend any treatment as directed; not to contact victims and to inform Probation about changes in employment.
