The man responsible for the Raurimu massacre has been recalled to a secure psychiatric ward.
Stephen Anderson, 39, shot dead six people and injured four others in 1997 at his parent's Raurimu lodge, in the central North Island.
He was found not guilty by reason of insanity of murder and attempted murder.
Associate Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says he signed the warrant for Mr Anderson's return after advice from the Director of Mental Health and Mr Anderson's doctors.
Mr Anderson was granted limited release from a psychiatric facility to an address in Upper Hutt in 2009.
The Ministry of Health says public safety is a very important consideration in the treatment and rehabilitation of special patients and it will recall them back to secure settings if there are concerns.
It says Anderson was recalled last month.
It says if special patients breach their leave conditions they are recalled, treated, reassessed and the process of rehabilitation begins again.
A man whose father was slain in the massacre says his family has been kept in the dark about the killer's recall to psychiatric care.
David van de Wetering says the Ministry of Health did not tell him Mr Anderson was to be recalled.
He says his family still lives in fear of him.
