Waikeria Prison

Waikeria Prison is set in a 1200 hectare site near Te Awamutu in the Waikato. It is one of the country's largest prisons.

Contact details

Phone: (07) 872 6700

Postal address:
Private Bag 2400
Te Awamutu 3840

Physical address:
Waikeria Road
16km south of Te Awamutu

From mid 2014, entrance to Waikeria Prison will only be from Waikeria Road. Manuka Drive and Nikau Road which are on prison land will be closed to the general public. There will be a locked security gate near the intersection of Manuka Drive and Wharepuhunga Road that will only open in an emergency.

If you are visiting someone at Waikeria Prison, press the intercom at the prison entrance on Waikeria Road.

General information

Security classification: Minimum to high security male prisoners
Year established: 1911

A high-medium security unit at Waikeria Prison.

Offender training

Activity	Capacity	Description
Hospitality Training Kitchen	20	The Hospitality Training Kitchen prepares learners for a range of roles supporting employment in commercial catering. Learners develop their knowledge and skills of a range of roles required for Commercial Catering and hospitality. Provides a pathway into: Kitchens and Catering Employment Currently delivering: The National Certificate in Hospitality Level 2
Horticulture raining Nursery	8	The Horticulture Training Nursery provides an intensive training programme to prepare learners for employment in production horticulture. Learners develop their knowledge and skills of a range of roles required for production horticulture. Provides a pathway into: Horticulture and Nurseries Employment Currently delivering: The National Certificate in Horticulture Level 2 The National Certificate in Horticulture Level 3

Activity

Capacity

Description

Hospitality Training Kitchen

The Hospitality Training Kitchen prepares learners for a range of roles supporting employment in commercial catering. Learners develop their knowledge and skills of a range of roles required for
Commercial Catering and hospitality.

Provides a pathway into: Kitchens and Catering Employment

Currently delivering:

The National Certificate in Hospitality Level 2

Horticulture raining
Nursery

The Horticulture Training Nursery provides an intensive training programme to prepare learners for employment in production horticulture. Learners develop their knowledge and skills of a range
of roles required for production horticulture.

Provides a pathway into: Horticulture and Nurseries Employment

Currently delivering:

The National Certificate in Horticulture Level 2
The National Certificate in Horticulture Level 3

Offender employment

Activity	Capacity	Description
Kitchen	54	Kitchen 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.
Bakery	13	The Bakery supports the main kitchen in the manufacture of bread and pastry products provided as part of the national prisoner menu. Prisoners in the bakery undertake a range of roles of a commercial bakery operation. Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the National Certificate in Baking Level 2 (and above).
Laundry	8	The laundry provides commercial laundry services to the Prison and contract work for external clients as required. Prisoner’s process, clean, dry press, and distribute laundry products. Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the National Certificate in Laundry Washroom Procedures Level 1.
Asset Maintenance	17	Asset 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	36	Grounds 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).
Garage	8	The 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.
Distribution Centre	16	The Distribution Centre is a warehouse and distribution operation providing prisoners with a range of approved items for prisoner purchase. The Distribution centre operates like a commercial activity and provides prisoners with experience in a range of retail, warehousing, and distribution roles including operating commercial systems and forklifts. Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the National Certificate in Distribution Level 2 and 3.
Farming	89	The Waikeria farm is a big operation covering over 1,000 hectares and producing 1M Kg of milk solids annually from the herd of 3,200 cows. Prisoners employed in this activity undertake a range of roles required for employment in dairy, farming and agriculture. Prisoners are supported to learn on the job towards the National Certificate in Agriculture (General Skills) Level 2 (and above).