A group of young people spent the night on the roof of a youth justice facility in Wiri after climbing up on Monday night. Video / Jason Dorday, Hayden Woodward
They are armed with metal and wood, shouting and throwing gang signs.
One of the boys could be heard yelling “Please get me some water”.
A group of young people who climbed on to the roof at a youth justice facility in the South Auckland suburb of Wiri yesterday evening spent the night up there and are now requesting water.
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.
The photographer also said staff offered a ladder to the young men but they refused to use it.
Acting deputy chief executive youth justice services Iain Chapman told the Herald earlier they notified police on Monday night that eight young people were on the roof.
He told the Herald four of them remain on the roof this morning.
“Overnight and this morning four young people have come down,” he said.
He said there are no concerns for public safety and the young people are still within the facility.
“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,” Chapman said.
Chapman revealed it’s likely they participate in serious incidents once in custody for similar reasons.
“An operational review will be undertaken to determine the circumstances that led to this incident.”
Early on Tuesday morning the NZME photographer also heard young people shouting “F*** the police”.
“They are mainly out of sight and moving around on the roof. A number of police cars are now parked in the centre carpark.”
The photographer said the young people appeared to have wide access across the large roof area, moving around at will.
They appeared to be armed with lengths of metal and wood.
“Conditions are blustery, two police cars have just left the facility,” he said.
On Monday a group of young people climbed on to the roof at Korowai Manaaki youth justice facility in Wiri, spending the night and remaining there today. Photo / Jason Dorday
Loud bangs and shouting could be heard on Tuesday morning as the young people worked to smash part of the rooftop.
“They are throwing round bits of construction around and they look like they’re trying to damage or deconstruct the roof.”
A group of young people are using tools to dismantle roof sections with sounds of smashing and hammering, December 31, 2024. Photo / Jason Dorday
Korowai Manaaki Youth Justice Residence in Manukau, Auckland, can house up to 46 tamariki and rangatahi, according to Oranga Tamariki, which runs the facility.
The home has a troubled recent history. This year the Children and Young People’s Commission found staff were smuggling in contraband, roughing up children and silencing informants – information it released in a damning report in June.
A group of youths have climbed on to the roof at Korowai Manaaki in Wiri. Photo / Jason Dorday
Mana Mokopuna had conducted an unannounced visit to Korowai Manaaki in Wiri in February due to concerns raised with the commission by members of the public.
The June report showed goings-on at the facility did not reach the threshold for torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
However, there were serious concerns regarding staff practices and a lack of stable leadership.
A police spokesperson told the Herald on Tuesday morning they continued to monitor an incident at a facility in Wiri.
Two guards gained access to a neighbouring rooftop at the facility on Monday night and were yelling at the teenagers.
The young people, holding weapons in their hands, were shouting back.
Oranga Tamariki acting deputy chief executive youth justice services and residential care Iain Chapman confirmed yesterday it was 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.”
Police arriving at the youth justice facility in Wiri this morning after a group of youths spent the night on the roof. Photo / Jason Dorday
Three police vehicles were seen entering the facility while Department of Corrections staff arrived about 8.25pm and left shortly before 8.40pm. Staff were seen leaving a ladder at the entrance door to the facility.
Children’s Minister Karen Chhour said she was unable to comment because 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.”
An NZME photographer said the youths were screaming, shouting and laughing with one another, with bandannas over their faces and throwing gang signs. Photo / Hayden Woodward
Six young people endured a wet and cold night on the roof on July 1 after forcing their way out of a unit.
