Mark Lundy, convicted of the 2000 murders of his wife Christine and daughter Amber, will be released from prison next month, a decision that has reignited debate in Wellington. The Parole Board’s ruling on 18 April 2025, after Lundy’s hearing at Tongariro Prison, marks the end of his 23-year sentence. Despite maintaining his innocence, Lundy, 66, convinced the board he poses a low risk. One Network Wellington Live explores this controversial case, the parole outcome, and its impact on New Zealand.

On 29 August 2000, Christine, 38, and Amber, 7, were found bludgeoned to death in their Palmerston North home. The brutal axe murders shocked the Manawatū community. Lundy, a salesman, was in Wellington on business, staying at a Petone motel. Prosecutors claimed he drove 150 kilometres to commit the killings during rush hour, returning by 8:30 pm. A speck of Christine’s brain tissue on his shirt became key evidence. In 2002, a Palmerston North jury convicted Lundy, sentencing him to life with a 20-year non-parole period.

However, Lundy’s legal battles continued. In 2013, the Privy Council quashed his convictions over concerns about the scientific evidence. Released on bail, he awaited a 2015 retrial in Wellington. The Crown’s case, led by Philip Morgan, relied on the shirt evidence, while Lundy’s defence accused Christine’s brother of the murders, a claim that failed. A second guilty verdict reinstated his life sentence. Appeals to the Supreme Court in 2019 and the Criminal Cases Review Commission in 2021 were unsuccessful.

Lundy’s parole journey has been contentious. At his third hearing in 2025, he reiterated his innocence, stating, “I will go to my death bed still saying that I did not kill my family. I cannot lie in that respect.” Previous bids in 2022 and 2023 failed due to his refusal to admit guilt, a factor often expected for parole. This time, lawyer Ella Burton argued his denial was accounted for in a psychological assessment deeming him low-risk. The board agreed, setting a May 2025 release with strict conditions, including geographical restrictions barring him from Palmerston North. Lundy vowed compliance, saying, “I will abide by the geographical restrictions placed on me when I am released.”

The decision has sparked mixed reactions. Christine’s sister-in-law, Maria Norrelle, expressed resignation, telling NZME, “It’s been a long time, he had to come out at some point.” Conversely, Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith opposed the release, stating, “Most people will be going, ‘We don’t want him in town.’” The community remains divided, with memories of the murders lingering. Lundy’s friend Dave Jones defended him, insisting he poses no threat and describing him as “overwhelmed” but hopeful.

The case has long gripped Wellington, raising questions about justice and rehabilitation. The brain tissue evidence, described by pathologist Cynric Temple-Camp as damning, anchored the Crown’s case, despite defence challenges. Lundy’s time on bail from 2013 to 2015 showed he could live quietly, but his notoriety will likely follow him. The parole conditions aim to balance public safety with his reintegration, though his future remains uncertain.

As Lundy prepares to leave prison, the release reopens old wounds for many. The murders shattered perceptions of suburban safety, and two juries upheld his guilt. Yet, some still question the evidence, citing the tight timeline and missing murder weapon. For now, Lundy faces a changed world under close supervision. One Network Wellington Live will continue covering this landmark case, capturing the voices of all sides as New Zealand grapples with its implications.