19241 (2025). Tamatha Paul to the Minister of Corrections

19241 (2025). Tamatha Paul to the Minister of Corrections: Will there be independent oversight mechanisms in place to monitor human rights conditions at the new facilities of Waikeria Prison following its expansion?

Hon Mark Mitchell: I am advised that the purposes and principles guiding all Corrections-managed prisons, including Waikeria Prison, are set out in the Corrections Act 2004 and Corrections Regulations 2005 with oversight from agencies such as the Human Rights Commission, Office of the Privacy Commissioner, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Health and Disability Commissioner. I am further advised that in relation to Corrections, the Office of the Ombudsman is the National Preventive Mechanism with responsibility under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 for monitoring the general conditions and treatment of people in New Zealand prisons and public protection order residences. The Ombudsman has established expectations (https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/resources/expectations-conditions-and-treatment-people-custody-department-corrections) intended to provide people in custody, their family, any person or agency involved with people in custody, Parliament and the public with an insight into some of the areas the Ombudsman considers when monitoring prisons.