The Korowai Manaaki Youth Justice Residence in Wiri, Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Philippa Tolley
Auckland police are assisting a standoff at a youth justice facility in the southwest suburb of Wiri.
This afternoon eight young people forced their way out of a unit and accessed a roof area at Korowai Manaaki Youth Justice Residence.
As of 9pm, six of the youth were still on the rooftop.
Oranga Tamariki deputy chief executive Mike Bush said he is on site and staff are dealing with the incident.
"Our priority is the safety of these young people and we are managing this situation with extreme caution, especially with the wet weather forecast overnight.
"We are practising safe and reasonable negotiation tactics and working to deescalate the situation.
"The young people are within the boundary of the facility and there is no risk to public safety."
Stuff is reporting the youths were armed with pipes and bits of metal.
Police and one truck from Fire and Emergency are on-site.
It comes a week after several youth escaped from a youth justice facility in Canterbury and spent the night in its roof cavity.
