Waikeria Riot: National Party MP Barbara Kuriger calls for justice

The aftermath of the damage to Waikeria Prison, after the six-day riot and standoff at the prison. Photo / Brett Phibbs.

Barbara Kuriger, National Party MP for Taranaki-King Country, says she is looking forward to seeing justice done to those involved in the riot at Waikeria Prison, which destroyed the jail's high-security unit.

The riot broke out Tuesday, December 29 in the "top jail", after a number of prisoners lit fires in an exercise yard.

More than 200 prisoners were evacuated from the unit within the first two days and were transferred to other prisons.

The stand-off continued for six days and at one point 20 prisoners were involved.

Kuriger visited Waikeria Prison this week alongside National's Corrections spokesman Simeon Brown.

She says the purpose of their visit was to support prison staff who had been through the tough experience.

"It was awful to see the destruction, which was so unnecessary," says Kuriger.

"I look forward to seeing justice done to those who so blatantly destroyed public property and put the lives of others at risk."

Barbara Kuriger recently visited Waikeria Prison alongside National Party Corrections spokesman Simeon Brown following the riots. Photo / File

She said that no other prisoners were injured was "a credit to Corrections staff who worked tirelessly during this event".

The group claimed they were protesting their living conditions at the prison.

"While the group state that they are protesting conditions at the prison and not rioting, their actions are clearly violent," said Department of Corrections incident controller Jeanette Burns.

Prisoners lit fires nearly every day during the riot and the damage has left the jail unusable.

It could hold 251 prisoners. Opened in 1911 it is being replaced by a new prison at the site, due to open next year.

One prisoner was injured. Before he surrendered he was assaulted by others of the group who tried to prevent him from leaving.

On Friday, January 1, 16 prisoners continued to wreak havoc and asked to speak to kaumātua and Māori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi, upon which they said they would surrender.

Both requests were granted but the prisoners continued to stay on the roof.

"We have negotiated in good faith, and prisoners have defaulted on the commitments that they have made," said Burns.

It was not until midday on Sunday, January 3 that the prisoners surrendered. They were escorted out by Rawiri.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand, police and St John all worked closely alongside Corrections staff throughout the siege.

Two internal reviews, commissioned by Department of Corrections chief executive Jeremy Lightfoot, are now under way.

An operational review will take about three months to complete and a wider review, which will enable Corrections to consider some of the wider issues of the riot, will take between six to nine months to finish.

Police are yet to charge anyone.