08 July 2025
C196610
Sophia Lawler
[FYI request #30847 email]
Tēnā koe Sophia,
Thank you for your email of 28 April 2025 to the Department of Corrections – Ara Poutama
Aotearoa, requesting information regarding the Waikeria expansion. Your request has been
considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
Corrections acknowledges the importance of transparent and meaningful engagement with
mana whenua and the local community. Such engagement is a vital part of our commitment
to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensuring that local perspectives are reflected
throughout the planning, development, and operation of our facilities.
In various regions, Corrections works in partnership with iwi to co-design rehabilitation and
reintegration initiatives that are underpinned by kaupapa Māori values and tikanga. This
includes iwi involvement in designing and delivering programmes within prison setting, such
as tikanga-based units and education initiatives, as wel as supporting iwi-led reintegration
pathways post-release. We are also working to ensure that local mana whenua are
represented in governance and decision-making structures.
You requested:
I am requesting information on all communication and consultation with mana
whenua and local residents of Waikeria surrounding the expansion of Waikeria
Prison.
I would also like to request any documents and communication around assessing the
land for resource consent. Was there an environmental impact assessment or AEE
done or any archaeological assessments of the land prior to beginning construction?
If so can these please be provided.
Please find attached Appendix One, which contains the Assessment of Environmental Effects
(AEE) for the enabling works associated with the Waikeria expansion project.
NATIONAL OFFICE, WELLINGTON
Mayfair House, 44 – 52 The Terrace, Wellington, 6011, Private Box 1206, Wellington 6140,
Phone +64 4 460 3000
www.corrections.govt.nz
2
For information regarding Corrections’ consultation and engagement with mana whenua,
please refer to Sections 9.3 and 9.4 of the AEE. With respect to site assessments for
development purposes, technical specialists conducted evaluations of the site. A summary
of their findings is provided in Section 3 of the AEE, with specific reference to archaeological
features detailed in section 3.5.
A limited amount of personal information, including mobile numbers, has been withheld
pursuant to section 9(2)(a) of the OIA, in order to protect the privacy of natural persons.
In accordance with section 9(1) of the OIA, where a section 9 withholding ground has been
used, we have also considered countervailing public interest relating to the release of the
information. We are satisfied that in this case, public interest considerations do not
outweigh the withholding reasons outlined above.
Please be advised that over 2,000 emails have been identified as potentially within scope of
your request concerning communications with mana whenua and iwi regarding the
Waikeria expansion and/or land assessments for resource consent related to the Waikeria
expansion. A comprehensive review would be required to determine what material
specifical y fal s within scope of your request. Undertaking this review would necessitate
diverting resources from regular operational activities and, due to the volume of emails,
would represent a significant administrative undertaking.
In accordance with the OIA, we have considered whether to affix a charge or extend the
time limit for responding. However, given the scale of the request we do not consider that
this would be an appropriate use of our publicly funded resources. Consequently, your
request is refused in accordance with section 18(f) of the OIA as the information requested
cannot be made available without substantial collation or research.
As per section 18B of the OIA, we have considered whether consulting with you would
enable the request to be made in a form that would remove the reason for the refusal.
However, we do not consider that the request can be refined in this instance.
Please note that, in accordance with the Resource Management Act, it is necessary to
document all consultation undertaken as part of the resource consent application process.
These consultations have been summarised and included as part of the AEE.
Regarding communication and consultation with local residents, the proposed expansion
fal s within the scope of existing designation conditions for the Waikeria development.
Therefore, resident consultation was not a requirement for the associated resource
consents. As a result, this part of your request is refused under section 18(e) of the OIA, as
the information requested does not exist.
Lastly, I would like any information on how far into construction you are, and
projected timelines for completion.
3
The 810-bed expansion to Waikeria Prison, announced as part of Budget 2024, is expected
to be completed in 2029. Earthworks on this expansion started in January 2025, with
negotiations for the main build currently underway.
Consultation with iwi and mana whenua was undertaken for the expansion early works as
part of the resource consenting process (as described in the AEE), as such there is no further
engagement required. Please not however that the prison has a “Community Liaison Group”
which meets every 6 months. The group has representation from across the community,
local business, mana whenua and iwi. This isn’t specific to the expansion but is a forum
where updates about the prison are provided. The CLG is required by the designation
conditions.
Please note that this response may be published on Corrections’ website. Typical y,
responses are published quarterly, or as otherwise determined. Your personal information
including name and contact details will be removed for publication.
I trust the information provided is of assistance. I encourage you to raise any concerns
about this response with Corrections. Alternatively, you are advised of your right to also
raise any concerns with the Office of the Ombudsman. Contact details are: Office of the
Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wel ington 6143.
Ngā mihi
Alastair Turrell
Deputy Chief Executive
Infrastructure and Digital Assets
