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.
A NZME photographer at the scene 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’.”
Several youths 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
All the young people have since come down, said Iain Chapman, the acting deputy chief executive in charge of youth justice services and residential care.
“It’s disappointing the young people have caused some damage to the youth justice facility; however, the day-to-day operational running of the facility has and will continue,” said Chapman.
“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, said Chapman.
“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.
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