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The Maori Council of New Zealand called for calm and called on politicians to stand aside amid the protest at the Waikeria prison.
The council’s chief executive, Matthew Tukaki, said politicians should back off and let mana whenua work with Corrections, the prisoners and their Whānau to resolve the situation.
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New Zealand Maori Council Executive Director Matthew Tukaki said the council was open to meeting with those involved.
The protest at Ōtorohanga jail is now in its fifth day, and inmates are still camped out on the roof after burning buildings.
“The issues that are being discussed are complex and in the interest of the security of all those involved we must put an end to the situation,” said Tukaki.
READ MORE:
* Waikeria Prison Riot: ‘Violent’ inmates storm gun room, fear staff could be attacked
* Waikeria Prison: the Minister of Corrections will not intervene to negotiate the confrontation
* The prisoner surrenders on day 3 of riots, while inmates ask MP for help
National Party MPs were turned away at the door while trying to visit the Waikeria prison. Early Saturday, Tukaki called his actions “grandstanding.”
National Corrections spokesperson Simeon Brown and National Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger were hoping to speak with Corrections staff to offer some support, but were told they needed permission from Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis if they wanted to enter.
“We don’t need politicians to step up to the doors and stand out to provoke an illicit response that would itself be political in nature,” Tukaki said.
“It does not help or solve what is happening.”
MARK TAYLOR / Stuff
Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger and National Party Corrections spokesperson Simeon Brown outside the Waikeria prison.
Tukaki did not rule out the council playing a role in ending the situation at the prison.
Brown told reporters outside the prison gate that he had been denied entry and needed permission from Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis.
He intended to call Davis’s office to see if he could get permission, but he wasn’t sure how successful it would be.
“I’ll try. What we’ve seen here is significant damage to a prison that has been completely destroyed.
TOM LEE / THINGS
Jeremy Lightfoot, Executive Director of Corrections, speaks to the media about the ongoing riots at the Waikeria prison.
MARK TAYLOR / Stuff
National Party Corrections spokesman Simeon Brown was denied entry to the prison on Saturday.
“It is not a peaceful protest, it is a violent riot that puts responding personnel at risk at a difficult time.
“We have staff who are doing their best, they have left their vacation to work in the prison.”
Kuriger said the prison was in his constituency and that he had met many people who worked there.
“Really the minister [Kelvin Davis] he should be here with his staff right now. “
ROBERT KITCHEN / Things
Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis said staff dealing with the incident do not need politicians to interfere.
Brown and Kruiger were last in prison in May, when Brown was appointed party spokesman for Corrections.
“We want to send a clear message to Kelvin, he should be here supporting his staff, who are doing everything they can to bring law and order to the situation,” Brown said.
“This is the fifth day in a row. We have prisoners who manufacture weapons and endanger staff.
“But we also have 250 prisoners who have had to be transferred, their rehabilitation and reintegration is being affected.”
ROBERT KITCHEN / Things
Opposition leader Judith Collins said her thoughts were with the entire Waikeria Prison Corrections staff.
Earlier, National Party leader Judith Collins asked Davis to step up and explain how inmates took control of the main jail facilities.
Writing on his Facebook account, Collins said: “The taxpayer-funded mass destruction of property, assaulting Corrections staff and stockpiling weapons is not a peaceful protest.”
“Kelvin Davis needs to be upfront and explain how this loss of control happened and what he’s going to do to fix it,” he wrote.
“He was perfectly happy to brag about the opposition prisons, but now that he’s in charge, he’s nowhere to be seen.”
Dominico Zapata / Things
Prisoners can be seen on the roof of a unit at Waikeria Prison after riots that began Tuesday.
Earlier, a Davis spokesman confirmed that he will not intervene or comment on the situation until it is resolved.
On Thursday, one of the 17 prisoners involved in the protest surrendered, after the group of prisoners asked the leader of the Maori Party, Rawiri Waititi, to help them with their demands.
The remaining 16 prisoners appeared to be desperate for food and water after negotiators saw that they both refused to starve them to death.
Waititi said he had made several attempts to enter the prison on Saturday, but was “blocked at all times.”
Hagen Hopkins / Getty Images
Maori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi, who is also an MP for Waiariki, visited the prison in Ōtorohanga and spoke with the 16 men who have seized the prison in protest. (Photo file)
“The law grants the right to any deputy to visit prisons and communicate with prisoners regarding their treatment in prison or a complaint about treatment.
“The purpose of this visit will be to ensure the safety of the 16 when they surrender, we have the opportunity to solve this problem and keep everyone safe, but the authorities are letting their egos and the bureaucracy take over.”
Waititi said the prisoners’ families told him they were only willing to surrender if he was there because they believed his safety would be compromised.
“They do not trust the authorities and believe that they will be harmed if they surrender, they have stated that they will come out in body bags if I am not there to escort them and ensure their safety.”
Waititi, who is also a Waiariki deputy, said the men made it clear that this is not a riot.
“It is a protest for their human rights for all prisoners past and present.”
Dominico Zapata / Things
Corrections said there has been extensive structural damage at the Waikeria prison after inmates set several fires.
Corrections Ministry Incident Controller Jeanette Burns said inmates have had multiple opportunities to surrender and “we continue to urge them to make this option.”
“When the prisoners surrender, they will be secured, searched, provided with food and water, evaluated by medical personnel and will have access to kaumatua and other support.”
“We have a duty to care for these men, and they are likely to remain in our custody for several years.”
Burns said the incident is contained within the secure perimeter of the “upper jail” facility and that there is no risk to the safety of the public.
Waikeria inmates protest prison conditions and lack of supplies.
“There are multiple risks involved, including the structural integrity of fire-damaged buildings, weapons and equipment available to prisoners, the toxicity of burned building materials, and the violence that prisoners deliver.
“Correctional officers come to work every day to help people in prison make positive changes in their lives and keep New Zealanders safe. The conditions in which they are currently working and the level of violence involved has impacted them and is also distressing for their family and friends ”.
