Tongariro Prison

Tongariro Prison is on a large site of 8481.6 hectares off the Desert Road in the central North Island.

Around 4200 hectares of the site are forest, 2400 hectares farm and the remaining 1840 hectares are roads, river reserves, wetlands and native forest.

Contact details

Phone: (07) 384 7400

Postal address:
Private Bag 500
Turangi 3353

Physical address:
State Highway 1
Hautu Road
Turangi

General information

Security classification: Minimum to low-medium security male prisoners
Year established: 1922

Offender training

ActivityCapacityDescription
Painting Training Workshop16

The workshop based Painting training programme provides learners hands on training in the theory and practical aspects providing an introduction to the skills, knowledge, and attitudes
needed to enter the Painting industry. Prisoners undertake commercial painting projects in order to demonstrate their skills:

  • Provides a pathway into: Asset Maintenance employment

Currently delivering:

  • The National Certificate in Painting Level 3
Farming Training
Workshop
16

The workshop based farming training programme provides learners hands on training in the theory and practical aspects of farming and agriculture.

  • Provides a pathway into: Farming employment

Currently delivering:

  • The National Certificate in Agriculture Level 2

Offender employment

ActivityCapacityDescription
Kitchen17Kitchen prisoners are employed under supervision of Offender Employment Instructors to provide the prison population with three nutritional meals a day from a national menu. Prisoners also learn additional skills within the commercial catering environment and meal distribution. All areas of prison catering operate under an approved food safety programme. Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the National Certificate in Cookery Level 2 and 3.
Asset Maintenance15Asset Maintenance work parties clean, maintain, and paint Corrections buildings and facilities. Prisoners wash down, prepare, and paint corrections buildings exterior and interior including working at heights. Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the National Certificate in Painting Level 3, transitioning to the National Certificate in Painting and Decorating Level 4 in June 2014.
Grounds
Maintenance
8Grounds Maintenance work parties maintain and beautify Corrections land assets through cleaning, mowing, trimming, planting and maintaining gardens. Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the National Certificate in Horticulture Level 2 (and above).
Garage6The Light Vehicle Garage provides a range of automotive servicing for corrections and external vehicles under contract. Prisoners employed in this activity undertake a range of vehicle servicing roles including; Exhaust and suspension, tyres, engine servicing, brake and clutch, and other tasks. Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the Certificate in Motor Industry (Automotive) Level 2.
Farm50Tongariro has two farming operations a dry stock farm raising calves and heifers for sale to commercial dairy farms, and the sheep farm which raises 10,000 sheep on 2,500 hectares of land producing wool and meat under contract. Prisoners employed in this activity undertake a range of roles required for
employment in sheep, dairy, farming and agriculture. Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the National Certificate in Agriculture (General Skills) Level 2 (and above)
Dog Roll Factory11The Dog Roll factory works under contract to process meat from the farms into dog food. Prisoners in this activity undertake a range of activities to support the operation of a commercial meat, foods, and related products processing works. Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the National
Certificate in Food and Related Products Processing Level 2.
Forest96 The Tongariro Forest is a commercial 4,500 hectare Douglas Fir and Radiata Pine plantation that is planted, thinned, and harvested for commercial timber sales. Prisoners employed in this activity undertake a range of Silviculture activities. Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the National
Certificate in Forestry Level 2.
Sawmill13Prisoners employed on this activity undertake a range sawmilling activities. Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the National Certificate in Timber Processing Level 2.