An early wake-up call by authorities might not have previously been a welcome experience for the former jailhouse lawyer but yesterday’s incident was a little different, he told the Otago Daily Times.
While it was preferable to prison, Mr Taylor described wearing the device and keeping it charged up as "bloody inconvenient".
"It’s the modern-day ball and chain," he said.
"It doesn’t look like it weighs much but I feel a hell of a lot lighter today."
The moment marked the expiry of a 17-year-seven-month jail term, imposed for an array of offences.
"You just can’t believe that amount of time’s gone," Mr Taylor said.
While he had not planned to stay in Dunedin permanently, the ex-inmate said the city had provided him with a sanctuary and he welcomed the slower pace of life.
He expected to remain here for at least the next two years.
As someone with an often fractious relationship with government departments, Mr Taylor had some perhaps surprising compliments for southern authorities.
He called the Probation team "great guys" and said Dunedin police had been "nothing but courteous and professional".
Though Mr Taylor’s parole was now over, it was not the end of all restrictions on his liberty.
He remained subject to bail conditions on charges laid in late 2020 following allegations from Wellington.
Mr Taylor hoped to go to trial as soon as possible but expected it to take place next year.
For now, there was much to celebrate.
"Every day you’re not in jail it’s a bloody good day," he said.
