The man sentenced to life in prison for the 1989 murder of Monica Cantwell in Mount Maunganui will be released on parole this month.

Charles John Coulam was convicted of murder and assault to commit sexual violation in December 1989.

British backpacker Monica was just one week into a trip to New Zealand when, whilst walking the northern summit track on Mauao on November 20, 1989, she was raped and strangled.

Her body was found three days later after friends reported her missing.

Coulam, now 52, was arrested a month later.

He has since been before the parole board a number of times, after becoming eligible for parole in 1999.

He has been diagnosed as having schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism.

Coulam met with the New Zealand Parole Board at the end of July, where it was decided he would be released on August 29, with special conditions.

'We have decided he is now no longer an undue risk and can be released given the special conditions that are now proposed for him,” says board chairperson Sir Ron Young in a recently released decision.

'In discussing his future with the board, Mr Coulam did not have a good understanding of
the special conditions that had been recommended in the parole assessment report.

'For understandable reasons his focus has been very much on his mental health and the
support that over many years Mason Clinic had given him.

'It is important now that he turn toward Corrections and Community Corrections to understand what support they will give, because they will be the primary organisation who will be responsible for overseeing his care in the future.”

Before Coulam's release, there needed to be family meetings with those who had an interest in his welfare to discuss his release proposal and special conditions. A "media plan" was also suggested.

As part of his release, Coulam is subject to 16 special conditions including, not to enter or loiter near any parks, reserves or other area specified in writing, unless prior written approval is given by his probation officer.

He is to reside at an approved address (withheld) and is not to move unless he has written approval from his probation officer, subject however to any admission to hospital under the Mental Health Act.

The Parole Board has also issued a nightly curfew, from 7pm to 6am, and says he has to attend any psychological assessment or complete any recommended treatment as directed by a probation officer.

Other conditions include not to possess, use or consume alcohol, controlled drugs or psychoactive substances, except controlled drugs prescribed by a health professional, and to attend a reintegration meeting as directed by a probation officer.

The board says all the special conditions are currently in place for life, and will be reviewed when he appears before the board again for a special monitoring hearing in December.