The Department has recently reviewed the set up, or configuration, of New Zealand’s prison network.

As a result of this review, New Plymouth and Wellington prisons will close. Some parts of Arohata, Rolleston, Tongariro / Rangipo and Waikeria prisons will also close and the Department will invest in refurbishments at Invercargill and Auckland prisons.

These changes will improve the overall standard of New Zealand’s prisons. They will mean better working conditions for prison staff and better facilities to work with offenders and reduce re-offending.

The closures will take place progressively between June 2012 and April 2013:

Prison	Units	Expected closure timeframe
Tongariro/Rangipo	Larch Unit	Jun 2012
Rolleston	Tawa Unit	Aug 2012
Arohata	Probation Unit	Oct 2012
	Fergusson Unit	Oct 2012
	Reeves Unit	Oct 2012
Wellington	Entire prison	Nov 2012
New Plymouth	Entire prison	Mar 2013
Waikeria	Hillary Unit	Jun 2012
	Meads Unit	Jun 2012
	Kowhai Unit	Apr 2013
	Central Unit	Apr 2013

Consultation with staff and unions on proposed changes

Staff and unions were consulted on proposed changes between 22 March and 20 April 2012.

Read the media release announcing the proposals, Changes to New Zealand Prisons.

During this time, the Department’s Chief Executive Ray Smith and senior managers visited every prison that would be impacted by the changes and met with staff and unions.

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