News | Law and Order
16 Jan 2026 9:07
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Law and Order

    A man who spent 30 years behind bars from the age of 19, took his own life months after being released

    A man who spent 30 years behind bars from the age of 19, took his own life months after being released


    Open Justice reports Lee Rawiri Kohiti went to prison for his cousin's murder in 1995 and was released to a Hamilton facility for parolees last year.

    A Coroner's report has now found Kohiti largely kept to himself and had no visitors while he was there.

    He'd told his supervisor and probation staff he wanted to go back to prison - in the weeks before his death in late July.

    Coroner Bruce Hesketh recommends better support for long term prisoners transitioning back to society - noting several have committed suicide following their release.

    © 2026 Newstalk ZB, NZCity

     Other Law and Order News
     16 Jan: Venezuelan families wait in hope for release of political prisoners
     16 Jan: Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has been spotted at a cafe with his former boss, Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche
     16 Jan: A 17-year-old has been charged over a firearms incident in Christchurch's Hornby on Christmas Day
     15 Jan: The sister of a man who died in a shooting early yesterday at Waitarere Beach - says her brother had messaged her half an hour before
     15 Jan: Whanau have held a vigil outside the scene of yesterday's Waitarere Beach shooting
     15 Jan: Police say yesterday's shooting at Waitarere Beach - was preceded by a family harm incident last Friday
     15 Jan: A fully loaded semi-automatic firearm's been seized from a cupboard in South Auckland's Manukau
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Questions continue to swirl over Scott Robertson's departure as All Blacks coach More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    ???1;The construction sector's feeling optimistic, despite weak demand More...



     Today's News

    Law and Order:
    Venezuelan families wait in hope for release of political prisoners 8:57

    Entertainment:
    Tommy Lee Jones is reportedly keeping a "low profile" while he grieves the death of his daughter Victoria Jones 8:53

    Motoring:
    Two people are dead after a serious crash on Te Rapa Road in Hamilton overnight 8:47

    International:
    Who could lead Iran if the Islamic Republic falls? 8:47

    Entertainment:
    Jason Segel "can't wait" to marry his fiancee, Kayla Radomski 8:23

    Rugby:
    Questions continue to swirl over Scott Robertson's departure as All Blacks coach 8:07

    Rugby:
    The attention's now on how New Zealand Rugby approaches its hunt for a new CEO and All Blacks coach 7:57

    Politics:
    Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has been spotted at a cafe with his former boss, Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche 7:57

    Entertainment:
    Hamnet taught Paul Mescal that he cannot be his best self without his loved ones 7:53

    Rugby:
    New Zealand Rugby chair David Kirk is vowing to get the right person in charge and insists there's no rush in appointing a new All Blacks coach 7:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd