A man sentenced 20 years ago for the murder of his ex-partner in Tauranga has been released on parole.

Jason Robert John Butler, who suffers from an undisclosed mental health condition, was sentenced to life in imprisonment for the murder of Stephanie Baker on July 18, 1997.

He was sentenced on April 7, 1998, and became eligible to be considered for release on parole on August 1, 2007.

Stephanie was stabbed in the back and throat after she went to drop her daughter off at Butler's parents' home.

The Parole Board decided in March to release Butler on May 8. His location was withheld.

Parole board convener Justice Marion Frater says Butler had been spending most of his time in the community since November 2016, returning to a hospital once a week to sleep.

'The consensus of the mental health staff who have been working with Mr Butler is that he has reached the point where he can safely be managed in the community, on parole.

'He will have an enviable amount of support to do this. As well as the ongoing support of a probation officer, he will remain in [Withheld]s' accommodation for three years or so, and continue to be supported by the forensic mental health team for the foreseeable future.”

Butler is subject to standard conditions set out in section 14 of the Parole Act 2002.

A special condition means he is not able to possess or consume alcohol or illicit drugs for the rest of his life.

Another condition means he is not able to enter the Bay of Plenty without prior written approval of a probation officer.

Butler will have to attend a further Parole Board hearing in November to assess his compliance with his released conditions.