Eight youths climb on to roof at Auckland youth justice facility at Wiri

A group of youths have climbed up on top of a roof at a youth justice facility in the South Auckland suburb of Wiri. Photo / Hayden Woodward

• A group of youths has climbed on to a roof at a youth justice facility in Wiri.
• They were armed with metal and wood, shouting and throwing gang signs.
• Police and Department of Corrections staff are monitoring the situation.

A group of youths climbed up on top of a roof at a youth justice facility in the South Auckland suburb of Wiri yesterday evening.

An NZME photographer at the scene said the group is armed with bits of metal and wood.

“They are screaming, shouting and laughing with each other. They have bandanas over their faces and are throwing gang signs.”

Loud bangs and shouting could be heard as the youths worked to smash part of the rooftop, they reported.

Two guards have gained access to a neighbouring rooftop at the facility, and were yelling at the youths.

The youths, holding weapons in their hands, were shouting back.

A police spokesperson said they were aware of and were monitoring an incident at a facility in Wiri.

Oranga Tamariki Acting DCE Youth Justice Services and Residential Care Iain Chapman confirmed they are responding to an incident at Korowai Manaaki.

“We notified police at 5.50pm this evening, that eight youths had gained access to a roof within the facility,” he said

“We are working with police to resolve this matter and can confirm there are no concerns for public safety and the young people are still within the facility.”

Three police vehicles were seen entering the facility while Department of Corrections staff arrived around 8.25pm and left just before 8.40pm. Staff were seen leaving a ladder at the entrance door to the facility.

An NZME photographer said the youths were screaming, shouting and laughing with each other with bandanas over their faces and throwing gang signs. Photo / Hayden Woodward

A spokesperson for Children’s Minister Karen Chhour said she was unable to comment as the situation was still developing.

“Thank you to all of the staff and teams who are working hard right now to keep everyone involved safe while this is being resolved.”

In October, 13 youths climbed atop a roof at the same facility, demanding fast food, cigarettes and a getaway car.

Similar incidents occurred at the same facility last year when groups of young people climbed up on the roof of a building at the 40-bed facility.

Six young people endured a wet and cold night on the roof on July 1 after forcing their way out of a unit.

Temperatures dropped to about 11C during the course of the July night and there was heavy rain in the area.

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