One prisoner has surrendered but 16 others remain standing at the under-siege Waikeria Prison, which will see a visit from Māori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi as prisoners protest poor living conditions.
It comes after efforts to negotiate with a local kaumātua fell flat today, after a request for their visit by the prisoners.
Now the stand-off at one of the country's largest prisons looks set to continue for a fourth day, with no sign of it coming to an end.
"These men belong to whānau. They are our fathers, brothers, sons and uncles," says Waititi, who is also the MP for Waiariki.
"They deserve the right to be treated humanely, with fresh water, food and clean clothing and they deserve to have someone advocating for them."
Earlier today, the Department of Corrections said negotiations continue after talks with local kaumātua saw no result.
"We are continuing to engage with the prisoners to encourage them to cease their action," a spokesperson says.
One of the 17 prisoners involved surrendered late this afternoon and is now speaking to police, Corrections says. Sixteen others are still taking part in the riot, which saw one of Waikeria Prison's oldest buildings destroyed and fires lit.
Police are still deciding whether to lay charges.
"We are concerned that [the remaining prisoners] are putting themselves at significant risk by remaining where they are. Damage to the building is significant," Corrections says.
Around 200 other prisoners have been evacuated to other facilities due to concerns for their safety, the Corrections spokesperson says.
Waikeria Prison, one of New Zealand’s largest, has been under siege for about 28 hours now.
The spokesperson also denied reports firearms had been pointed at the prisoners or that shots had been heard.
The men say they're protesting well-documented issues with living conditions at Waikeria Prison
Earlier this year, a report following a surprise visit from the Ombudsman found prisoners were being double bunked in cells designed for one, there was a lack of natural light and poor ventilation, and prisoners were forced to eat near toilets.
The report concluded the high-security unit is no longer fit for purpose.
A report from the prison inspectorate in 2017 found the high security wing at Waikeria was in very poor condition, and another report two years later found little had been done to improve the top jail.
Corrections says a group of prisoners continue to be “non-compliant” into a second day.
1 NEWS has been told of inmates having to wash underwear and socks in the shower as they can't access a laundry, as well as being made to drink dirty brown water.
Waititi says he wants to meet with the prisoners "to support their call for justice and work towards a solution".
"The Māori Party will always advocate for our most vulnerable people. It is our obligation to do so and we will always rise to be the voice for the voiceless. This is one of those times."
Corrections says there is no risk to public safety due to the protest and no staff or prisoners have been injured.
It declined to comment further on the circumstances of the sole prisoner's surrender or provide further information.
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