24 Jun 2023

Oranga Tamariki staff member injured as five youth escape onto facility roof

10:14 pm on 24 June 2023
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Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas

Four young people have been on roof of the Te Puna Wai o Tuhinapo youth justice facility in Canterbury for more than ten hours.

Police were called to assist Oranga Tamariki staff at the facility near Rolleston shortly before 11am, when a group of five broke out of their unit and onto the roof.

In a statement, Oranga Tamariki said one has since come down earlier this evening.

"Oranga Tamariki staff, with assistance from police, are continuing to manage the incident," said Deputy Chief Executive Mike Bush.

Fire and emergency staff had left the scene.

The group left their unit at Te Puna Wai o Tuhinapo, near Rolleston, and climbed onto a building's roof area late this morning.

One staff member had suffered minor injuries and was being treated at Christchurch Hospital, Bush said.

Another group also broke onto the roof of the same youth justice facility in February.

They spent nearly four hours on the roof at night, before being brought down by police.

One was charged with assault.