Opening draws hundreds to prison

They came in their hundreds to the opening of the modern, bland, grey-walled institution that most are never likely to set foot in again.

Soon after the carpark had filled, a powhiri greeted the more than 400 kaumatua, kuia, ministers of religion, officials, MPs and invited guests to the new Ngawha prison.

Fronting the official party was Corrections Minister Paul Swain.

Manga Wihongi, supported by a younger Te Koha Wihongi, laid down a powerful wero, his taiaha whistling through the air, seemingly only centimetres from the minister.

The party then moved on to the prison's multi-functional puawananga for official speeches under its big laminated timber beams.

Grey iron-roofed buildings, concrete 5m-plus high walls topped with electric fencing, and an internal steel fence more than 4m tall complement dozens of security camera-topped metal poles and tarseal drives between buildings.

They contrast starkly with the surrounding green paddocks and the sombre dark green of pine forests to the south and southwest.

The Ngawha Stream winds through the middle of the huge complex, which demands a good pair of walking legs.

Over in the 88-cell Pukeko unit, low- to medium-risk inmates will live in quarters with no bars on a single long window, a shower, a toilet, handbasin, light, mattress, noticeboard (for the graffiti minded), an intercom and a timber cell door - capable of being upgraded to a high- security door if necessary. Cells are mostly single: two-man cells are said to be "not ideal for management".

In the Pipi Wharauroa self-care unit, 14 inmates will have the chance to finally leave behind their offending ways as they prepare to move on and leave the prison a few days before release.

In this unit, they will do their own cooking, cleaning and "budgeting".

Ngati Rangi kaumatua Gordon Tau Haare says it for the hapu: "The facility has been good for employment for Ngati Rangi. It's nice to walk through the towns and see all our mokopuna eating ice cream."

MP Dover Samuels is praying for miracles. "It's symbolic that Paul [Swain], who's mentioned in the scriptures, is able to open this facility under a new kaupapa. We've had so many ministers and a bishop here today, we must have God on our side."