ACT Northland based MP Dr Muriel Newman today labelled the decision to site the new Northland prison at Kaikohe 'costly
and illogical'.
Muriel Newman said reports on the siting of the prison all agreed that the most cost-effective location for the prison
was near Whangarei.
"The further north you go, the more zero's you have to add to the taxpayers bill. It is evident that the whole site
selection process has been flawed. In the late 1980's a site for a prison had been identified at Puhi Puhi and purchased
by the Government. The omission of this site in the short list for the Northland Prison showed Corrections was not in
touch with the local community," she said.
"The Puhi Puhi site is still the most sensible and cost effective option for the new Northland Prison. It's already
owned by the Crown and the preliminary work has been done on it.
"The Minister has the power to make the final decision on the site. I will be writing to the Minister asking him to
reconsider the Puhi Puhi site," said Muriel Newman.
ENDS