Several youths have gained access to the rooftop of Auckland's Youth Justice Wiri Facility on Kiwi Tamaki Road, all armed with weapons. 30 December 2024. NZME Photograph by Hayden Woodward
Several youths have gained access to the rooftop of Auckland's Youth Justice Wiri Facility on Kiwi Tamaki Road, all armed with weapons. 30 December 2024. NZME Photograph by Hayden Woodward
Eight youths climbed onto the roof of the Korowai Manaaki facility in Wiri.
All have come down – but have been strongly censured by the Children’s Minister
Karen Chhour says incident “disorderly, disruptive behaviour” – not a protest
An operational review will determine the circumstances and any further offending by the youths.
The Children’s Minister has disputed that the latest rooftop incident at an Auckland youth justice facility was a legitimate ‘protest’, accusing the young detainees of similar behaviour in their own communities.
On Monday night, Oranga Tamariki notified police that eight youths had gained access to a roof within the Korowai Manaaki facility in the South Auckland suburb of Wiri.
In a statement this afternoon, police confirmed all the youths are off the roof and will remain in police custody until Oranga Tamariki relocate them to different facilities.
They appeared in the Manukau District Youth Court today charged with intentional damage.
A NZME photographer at the scene of the incident today heard one of the boys requesting water.
“One of the young people on the roof was yelling out saying ‘I’m thirsty please get me some water, get me some water’,” he said.
“Alongside that – ‘we also want McDonald’s’.”
This afternoon, Children’s Minister Karen Chhour issued a statement about the incident, claiming the number of such rooftop incidents has seen a “substantial decrease” from two incidents this year compared with 15 similar occurrences in 2023.
Chhour also said the reasons for the youth justice facility incident had been misrepresented.
“This is not a ‘protest’ as some media have labelled it, and as some may first assume,” she said.
“This is a breach and disorderly, disruptive behaviour. These young people had often had similar behaviour in their communities.”
Chhour acknowledged that Christmas “can be a time where emotions are heightened” for young people.
“However I want to be clear – this behaviour will not be tolerated,” she said.
“There is no excuse for this unacceptable behaviour, and the police and courts will decide the appropriate consequences for their actions.
“The facility has done what it was meant to do and nobody was able to leave the premises, and I am glad that nobody has been badly hurt while this was resolved.
Chhour said she has been working alongside Oranga Tamariki to further improve the running of the facilities and “will continue to do so, so that they have the tools they need to minimise these incidents”.
“The decrease in occurrences comes after the significant changes being introduced in the operation of the Youth Justice Residences in the last year, with work programmes beginning to lift the safety and security of residences and improve staff recruitment and training,” Chhour said.
Several youths have gained access to the rooftop of Auckland's Youth Justice Wiri Facility on Kiwi Tamaki Road, all armed with weapons. 30 December 2024. NZME Photograph by Hayden Woodward
Acting deputy chief executive in charge of youth justice services and residential care Iain Chapman said the group on the roof had caused damage to the facility which was “disappointing”.
“However, the day-to-day operational running of the facility has and will continue,” he said.
“We will work with police to determine the extent of any further offending by these young people during the incident, including in relation to the damage caused to the youth justice facility.”
An operational review will be undertaken to determine the circumstances that led to this incident.
“Many of the young people in custody in youth justice facilities have committed serious offences motivated by a range of factors that include peer pressure, notoriety, and adrenaline,” said Chapman.
“It is likely they participate in serious incidents once in custody for similar reasons.”
There were no concerns for public safety at any time.
