Parolees Relocated as Disputed Reintegration Site Founder Vows to Continue

Following serious allegations and a terminated Corrections contract, Pūwhakamua founder Billy Macfarlane continues to house people on bail at his disputed Rotorua site.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 11, 2026, 4:55 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Contract Termination and Relocation of Parolees

The Department of Corrections ended its relationship with Pūwhakamua after learning of allegations involving a woman on bail in Auckland. Deputy Chief Executive Juanita Ryan stated that Corrections had not received sufficient assurances regarding the programme's suitability, leading to the relocation of residents to "alternative approved accommodation," some of which is located outside the Rotorua district. The department emphasized that its primary focus remains public safety and ensuring that parolees are housed in environments that meet strict suitability criteria.

Macfarlane, a reformed drug lord who started the programme in 2018, criticized the move, claiming that Corrections has placed these men at risk by sending them back to "danger zones" before the investigation into his conduct has concluded. Corrections firmly rejected this claim, noting that all new addresses are rigorously assessed for proximity to victims and access to support services. Since November 2022, Corrections had provided approximately $2.6 million in funding to the programme, which is now effectively halted.

Ongoing Legal Battle Over Land Use

The controversy surrounding the Ōwhata site is compounded by a long-running dispute with the Rotorua Lakes Council. The council has argued that the programme has been operating without the necessary resource consents. While a previous abatement notice was withdrawn after the Tikanga Aroro Charitable Trust argued the site met "papakāinga" (housing on ancestral land) provisions, the matter was elevated to the Environment Court.

Transformative Analysis: This case highlights the "Not In My Backyard" (NIMBY) tension often found in social reintegration efforts. Macfarlane’s struggle to find a permanent home for the programme—including a failed attempt to move to Waikite Valley due to resident pushback—reflects a broader societal challenge: the desire for offender rehabilitation versus the fear of local impact. The termination of the Corrections contract may effectively render the Environment Court battle moot if the trust's operations truly cease, yet Macfarlane’s personal vow to continue housing those on bail ensures the site remains a point of local contention.