Tainui was on parole for the 1994 murder and torture of Kimberly Schroder.
The pursuit was deemed justified, even though permission wasn't granted.
He saluted the judge and marched out of court whistling after the charge was dropped.
Tony Dobbs won the open blades title at the Waimate Shears Spring Championships on Saturday, a competition he first competed at in 1979.
Hot spots are still being uncovered one week from one of New Zealand's worst fires.
Firefighters continued battling the blaze on Wednesday.
More than 170 shearers and wool handlers are expected at the event.
Farmers are being short-sighted by claiming that the loss of grazing land has helped to fuel the devastating fire at Lake Ōhau, a plant ecologist says.
Keri Jackson said ash was falling on the truck as they drove closer.
