A man who murdered a police officer as a teenager nineteen years ago has been denied parole.
Carlos Namana is serving a life sentence with a minimum non-parole period of sixteen years for the murder of Constable Murray Stretch in Mangakino in 1999.
Mr Stretch was investigating a burglary when he was beaten to death by Namana - then aged 19.
While in prison, Namana has completed a drug treatment programme, and now works with the Puppies in Prison programme.
The parole board said despite Namana using his time in prison well, it is not satisfied he has yet reached the point where he can be safely released.
His next parole hearing is scheduled for next year.
