Hours-Long Rooftop Stand-off at Wiri Youth Justice Facility Triggers Damage and Alerts

A group of youths remains on the roof of the Wiri youth justice facility after six hours. Water damage reported as police and Oranga Tamariki attempt to de-escalate.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 4:30 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Escalation and Damage at Korowai Manaaki

The incident began late Friday morning when several residents of the youth justice facility gained access to the roof cavity and exterior. As the afternoon progressed, visual reports from the scene indicated that the youths had begun dismantling parts of the structure, specifically ripping away sections of corrugated iron and insulation. A torrent of water was later observed blasting into the air from the roof, suggesting that a internal water pipe had been intentionally or accidentally severed during the protest. Despite the destruction, Oranga Tamariki (OT) officials stated that the facility's day-to-day operations have continued.

Coordination Between Oranga Tamariki and Police

Dean Winter, Oranga Tamariki’s deputy chief executive for Youth Justice Services and Residential Care, confirmed that the agency is working closely with the New Zealand Police to resolve the situation. In an official statement, Winter emphasized that while the young people are on the roof, they remain within the secure perimeter of the facility. "We can confirm there are no concerns for public safety," Winter said, noting that the primary objective remains the safe retrieval of the group. A cherry picker was seen being transported to the site late Friday afternoon to assist in the operation.

Context of Recurring Rooftop Protests

This incident is not the first of its kind at the Korowai Manaaki facility, which has a history of rooftop stand-offs. In July 2023, a similar event lasted 30 hours and was only resolved after authorities provided the youths with fast-food meals from KFC and McDonald's. More recently, in October 2024, 13 young people were involved in a similar rooftop incident. The frequency of these protests has led to ongoing reviews of the facility's "target hardening" measures, which were intended to prevent access to the rooftop following a 2023 rapid review by former Police Commissioner Mike Bush.