Auckland South Corrections Facility is the new prison that opened today in Wiri, South Auckland.
Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says the facility, "...marks a new era in the management of prisoners and a focus on rehabilitation."
Equipped with a computer and telephone in each cell, Lotu-Iiga says the prison will operate differently.
The prison marks the first public private partnership between Corrections and the SecureFuture Consortium, where the consortium includes Fletcher Construction, Serco and Spotless Facility Services.
Lotu-Iiga says, "As well as keeping the community safe the new prison will allow prisoners from Auckland to live closer to their families. Maintaining these bonds will help these men reintegrate better into their communities on release."
The first prisoners will enter the facility on Monday 18 May.
Numia Ponika-Rangi has more on the new prison on Te Kāea at 5:30pm with live subtitles.