Kaharoa welcomes new detention site

Don Hammond is pleased that the authorities have paid attention to the concerns of local residents. Picture / Alan Gibson

"We are almost off the hook, but as the saying goes, 'It ain't over till the fat lady sings'."

That was the reaction yesterday from Kaharoa Prison Action Group chairman Don Hammond to news that his community is no longer in line for a Central North Island youth justice facility.

His comment came after Child, Youth and Family Minister Ruth Dyson announced that a new site, 12km south of Rotorua and owned by a Maori trust, had replaced Kaharoa, 20km north of the city, as the preferred option.

The ministry bought a 19ha property at Kaharoa last November, sparking outrage among residents, who hired high-profile lawyer Mai Chen to oppose the facility.

Mr Hammond said it was reassuring CYF had listened to public opinion but residents remained cautious while the department still owned the 19ha on Te Waerenga Rd.

"The community will continue to be wary until such time as they dispose of that land."

CYF said no decision had been made on the property's future and one would not be made any time soon.

Asked if it was still considered a potential site for the facility, the department did not rule out the possibility.

"At this stage our focus is on progressing the potential of the Parekarangi site," general manager of service development Shannon Pakura said. "No other site is under current consideration."

The new 10ha site, off State Highway 30, is owned by the Parekarangi Trust and would be leased to CYF.

CYF confirmed that the trust offered the site after public consultation on Kaharoa closed.

Ms Dyson said the new site met the "challenging requirements" for a youth justice facility.

"The land has the twin benefits of enabling the residence to be close to amenities, while having minimal impact on the surrounding environment."

She said a youth justice facility was desperately needed in the Bay of Plenty-Waikato region.

"Currently, young people who are sentenced to spend time in a residence must be sent out of the region, away from their families and whanau.

"The lack of youth justice facilities in the region also means some young people remanded in custody are being held in police cells, alongside adult offenders. Clearly, neither situation is acceptable."

CYF plans to build a 40-bed facility, initially housing 24 young people.

Ms Dyson has instructed the department to begin eight weeks of public consultation before she decides whether to proceed with the site.

The land would be leased from the Parekarangi Trust at an unknown cost.

Ms Pakura said: "As CYF is currently negotiating the final terms of the lease, this [the cost] is not able to be confirmed at this time."

Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick welcomed the news that the Parekarangi site was now the preferred option.

She said it was vastly preferable to Kaharoa because the trust had offered the land and wanted the facility.

Members had indicated they wanted to play a part in programmes to help youth offenders to reintegrate into the community, she said.

Rotorua's Te Arawa Maori Trust Board said a partnership between CYF and the Parekarangi Trust meant community needs would be respected.

"Rotorua has needed this facility for a very long time," chairman Anaru Rangiheuea said. "It's not good enough that our young people are removed from where we can help them."

New Zealand First law and order spokesman Ron Mark also backed the decision, saying Ms Dyson had listened to Kaharoa's concerns.

Ms Dyson hopes to announce her decision before Christmas, depending on the outcome of consultation and geological and engineering reports.


Have your say

Public submissions close on December 15.

For information, see youthjusticecentral.co.nz or call 0800 YJCentral.