The High Court has asked Corrections to reconsider its decision to block a journalist from a long-awaited meeting between convicted double-murderer Scott Watson and Gerald Hope.
Watson, who's serving a life sentence for the 1998 murders of Mr Hope's daughter Olivia, and Ben Smart, sought a judicial review from the court.
The presence of the journalist is Watson's one condition to ensure the meeting is fairly documented.
Department of Corrections granted a meeting between Watson and Hope, but denied North & South journalist Mike White to report on the meeting.
It said the meeting would have a detrimental effect on both Watson and Hope and would only allow Mr White to be there as a mediator, not a journalist.
The High Court has quashed the department's decision to decline media access.
"I am not satisfied this is a case where this Court should substitute its decision for that of Corrections."
A Corrections spokesperson says it is reviewing the judgement and considering its options.
"We will determine our next steps shortly."
Mr Smart and Ms Hope went missing in the early hours of New Year's Day in 1998. Their bodies were never found. Watson was convicted in 1999, but has always maintained his innocence.
Mr Hope never objected to having the presence of a journalist at the meeting.
"I believe he's most probably the best-equipped - an independent journalist, a respected journalist, and I have no objection," Mr Hope told Paul Henry last week.
Mr White interviewed Watson last year, in his article Watson claims police picked on him because his criminal record made him an "easy target".
Eighteen years after his daughter disappeared, Mr Hope has figured out exactly what he wants to ask - saying the first question, which he's keeping to himself for now, will be a surprise.
Watson's appearance at the Christchurch High Court last week was the first time Ms Hope's dad and her killer had been in the same room since the trial in 1999.
Newshub.
