Spring Hill Corrections Facility

Spring Hill Corrections Facility is located on a 215 hectare site near Meremere in the Waikato and is one of the country's biggest prisons.

It was one of four new prisons that opened between 2005 and 2007 and is designed quite differently to traditional prisons.

A highly secure perimeter fence encloses a large open space containing a range of separate buildings for accommodation and services.

Contact details

Phone: (07) 826 0200

Postal address:Private Bag 503
Huntly 3740

Physical address:
Hampton Downs Rd
Te Kauwhata
Waikato

Information for lawyers

Visit information on our website for arranging legal visits.

General information

Types of prisoners: Minimum to high security men
Year established: 2007

Offender training

ActivityCapacityDescription
Hospitality Training Course10

The Hospitality training course is embedded within the Commercial Kitchen and prepares learners for a range of roles supporting employment in commercial catering. Learners develop their
knowledge and skills of a range of roles required for Commercial Catering and hospitality.

  • Provides a pathway into: Kitchens and Catering Employment

Currently delivering:

  • The National Certificate in Hospitality Level 2
Engineering Training Workshop12

The Engineering Training workshop provides an intensive introductory course in Mechanical Engineering trades to prepare learners for employment in engineering both in the real world or in
the adjacent Engineering Employment activity and as an engineer in the Concrete Workshop.

  • Provides and Pathway into: Engineering Employment.

Currently delivering:

  • Certificate in Basic Engineering Trade Skills Level 2
  • The National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering Level 2
  • The National Certificate in Welding Level 3
Horticulture Training Nursery8

The Horticulture Training Nursery provides an intensive training programme to prepare learners for employment in production horticulture. Learners develop their knowledge and skills of a range
of roles required for production horticulture.

  • Provides a pathway into: Horticulture and Nurseries Employment

Currently delivering:

  • The National Certificate in Horticulture Level 2
  • The National Certificate in Horticulture Level 3
Carpentry Training Workshop12

The workshop based Carpentry training programmes provides prisoners hands on training in the theory and practical aspects of introductory carpentry and construction to develop the skills,
knowledge, and attitudes to enter the construction industry. The main course project is the construction of a partial or complete house.

  • Provides a pathway into: Refurbishment Yard employment

Currently delivering:

  • The National Certificate in Building, Construction, and Allied Trade Skills Level 2.
  • Certificate in Carpentry Level 3.
Painting Training
Workshop
16

The workshop based Painting training programme provides prisoners hands on training in the theory and practical aspects providing an introduction to the skills, knowledge, and attitudes
needed to enter the Painting industry. Prisoners undertake commercial painting projects in order to demonstrate their skills.

  • Provides a pathway into: Asset Maintenance and Refurbishment Yard employment

Currently delivering:

  • The National Certificate in Painting Level 3
Plumbing Training
Workshop
16

The Workshop based Plumbing training programme provides learners hands on practical and theory training in the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to enter employment in plumbing.

  • Provides a pathway into: Refurbishment Yard employment

Currently Delivering;

  • Certificate in Entry to Trades (Plumbing) Level 3
Carpentry, Timber and Joinery Training Workshop10

The timber training workshop provides prisoners an introduction into the skills knowledge and attitudes needed to enter employment in carpentry, joinery, or timber processing.

  • Provides a pathway into: Refurbishment Yard employment

Currently Delivering:

  • Unit standards in Joinery and Timber Processing

Offender employment

ActivityCapacityDescription
Kitchen53Kitchen prisoners are employed under supervision of Offender Employment Instructors to provide the prison population with three nutritional meals a day from a national menu. Prisoners also learn additional skills within the commercial catering environment and meal distribution. All areas of prison catering
operate under an approved food safety programme. Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the National Certificate in Cookery Level 2 and 3.
Laundry10The laundry provides commercial laundry services to the Prison and contract work for external clients as required. Prisoner’s process, clean, dry press, and distribute laundry products. Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the National Certificate in Laundry Washroom Procedures Level 1.
Asset Maintenance12Asset Maintenance work parties clean, maintain, and paint Corrections buildings and facilities. Prisoners wash down, prepare, and paint corrections buildings exterior and interior including working at heights.
Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the National Certificate in Painting Level 3, transitioning to the National Certificate in Painting and Decorating Level 4 in June 2014.
Grounds Maintenance21Grounds Maintenance work parties maintain and beautify Corrections land assets through cleaning, mowing, trimming, planting and maintaining gardens. Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the National Certificate in Horticulture Level 2 (and above).
Engineering Workshop24Mechanical Engineering workshop providing engineering services and products for internal and external contracts. Prisoners employed in this activity are employed to fabricate, machine, cut, weld varying grades of steel to produce engineering solutions. Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering Level 2 (and above).
Farm15The SHCF dry stock farm raises calves and heifers for sale to commercial dairy farms. Prisoners employed in this activity undertake a range of roles required for employment in farming and agriculture.
Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the National Certificate in Agriculture (General Skills) Level 2 (and above).
Refurbishment
Yard
100

The Building Refurbishment Yard at SHCF rebuilds damaged residential buildings in partnership with Housing New Zealand Corporation. Prisoners employed in this activity have a range of trade options including;

  • Building and Carpentry
  • Plastering
  • Painting
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing

Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards;

  • Gateway Certificate in Carpentry Level 3
  • Gateway Certificate in Plastering Level 3
  • National Certificate in Painting Level 3
  • National Certificate in Electrical Supply Level 2