The man filmed ramming his inflatable dinghy into another vessel during an intense confrontation at Tairua is a convicted murderer who could now be recalled to prison.
Fifty-eight-year-old John Dixon, who served eight years before his release, lives on board his yacht in the Coromandel.
A friend told the NZ Herald the incident began when wake from speeding boats lifted up Dixon's vessel and crashed it back down on his inflatable, damaging it.
Dixon was then filmed shouting at a woman on a larger boat, accusing her of being a "piece of shit" who had "caused $1000 worth of damage".
He then rammed into her boat before she jumped the water wielding an oar, trying to attack him.
It can now be revealed Dixon was jailed in 1979 after he beat a night watchman to death when he refused to loan Dixon money. Dixon was 16 at the time, and was released from prison on life parole.
At his trial the court heard he had severe anger issues, the NZ Herald reports, and "a tendency to over-react to threats, teasing or any excitement".
If an offender released on parole breaches their conditions or poses an undue risk to the safety of the community, a probation officer or police officer can apply to the Parole Board to have them recalled to continue serving their sentence in prison. Following the incident at Tairua, an application was made to recall Dixon.
"An application to recall life parolee John Fedrick Dixon was received by the New Zealand Parole Board last week," a Parole Board spokesperson told Newshub.
"After assessing the information, a panel convenor declined to make an interim order to immediately recall him to prison.
"In accordance with the Parole Act Mr Dixon will be seen by the Board within two months to determine if a final recall order will be made."
Police told Newshub the investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made or charges brought at this stage.
Tairua-Pauanui ferry operator Rob Glasgow told the NZ Herald boaties speeding through the area were "irresponsible".
"It's like running a car down a suburban street with children and only stopping when you hear the bang. It's not acceptable."
He added that Dixon normally has "really good control".
"He's a really nice, affable guy - mostly smiley. It's very rare to see him in a bad mood but obviously this day he's really lost his rag.
"I'm sure he's got a temper and we saw it the other day, but it's not normal at all. He was definitely pushed to the end of his tether."
