Story: Prisons
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This map shows the 19 prisons operating in New Zealand in March 2012, along with their inmate capacity and security rating. At that time there were three women's prisons, and the rest were for men. In March 2012 the government announced it would close Wellington (Mt Crawford) and New Plymouth prisons along with some older units at Arohata, Rolleston, Tongariro/Rangipō and Waikeria prisons. A new privately run prison would be built at Wiri, in Auckland.
Using this item
Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Source:Department of Corrections
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How to cite this page
Peter Clayworth, Prisons – New Zealand’s prisons, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/36753/new-zealand-prisons-march-2012 (accessed 17 February 2026).
Story by Peter Clayworth, published 11 June 2012.