Asenati Lole-Taylor MP
New Zealand First Spokesperson for
Corrections
August 29, 2014
Claims of an Inquiry at Rehabilitation Centre
Allegations have surfaced that Whare Oranga Ake Prison rehabilitation centre in Hawkes Bay is under investigation, says
New Zealand First.
“It is alleged that prisoners in Whare Oranga Ake in Hawke’s Bay have been asked to lie about what is happening at the
centre,” says Spokesperson for Corrections Asenati Lole-Taylor.
“Serious questions need to be answered about what is going on in Hawke’s Bay and why the investigation is being misled.
“Whare Oranga Ake rehabilitation service, primarily run by contracted service providers, was introduced to tackle the
high number of Maori prisoners reoffending.
“These new allegations against Whare Oranga Ake call into question whether the service has been effective in achieving
what was expected of it.
“The Government allocated nearly $20 million to the Whare Oranga Ake programme in 2010, so what has it delivered for the
community?
“This ongoing funding comes out of the taxpayers’ pocket.
“New Zealanders have the right to know if these contractors are doing their job properly in our prisons, and why they
are trying to misdirect the investigation,” says Mrs Lole-Taylor.
“The Minister of Corrections needs to get to the bottom of this. She should front up if there is corruption involved
rather than sweep it under the carpet.”
ENDS