The government has said it is looking at measures for an autistic man who's been detained for over five years under mental health laws, potentially in breach of his human rights.

Ashley Peacock has been in 'seclusion' for five years at Capital and Coast District Health Board's Tawhirimatea Unit. The 37-year-old is autistic, has auditory processing difficulties and a low IQ.

The room in which he is held is often locked, has no bathroom, and only a plastic mattress on the floor.

His parents, Marlena and Dave Peacock, aren't allowed to visit him in his tiny room, that's often locked for hours at a time.

Marlena noted that Ashley was supposed to be transferred to a community provider two years ago.

"Capital and Coast and so on have really delayed the process [for] political reasons and a number of other reasons," Marlena said.

Despite reports and advocacy from the Disability Rights Commissioner, lawyers and psychologists, that hasn't happened.

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH MARLENA AND DAVE PEACOCK ABOVE

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NZH FOCUS: Isolation of autistic man sparks controversy

Associate Minister of Health Peseta Sam Lotu-Iinga says the family is working together with the DHB and ministry officials to work towards a better solution for Mr Peacock.

"Safety is paramount both for mister Peacock and for those around him," he said.

"What I can say is that they're working through with mister Peacock and his family to ensure his care going forward is appropriate."

Minister of Health Jonathan Coleman said today he has huge sympathy for Peacock's parents, but there are no easy answers and it's not because of funding.

"My understanding is that health officials have been doing obviously their very very best in what are very difficult circumstances," Coleman said.

Disability Rights Commissioner Paul Gibson told Larry Williams that globally there is a move away from the use of seclusion to deal with mental health patients.

"It does people harm, staff don't like it, there are alternatives and they might be more people-intensive but they do lead to greater recovery for people with mental illness."

Disability lawyer Nan Jensen told Rachel Smalley earlier this morning that there are huge issues with New Zealand's Bill of Rights Act because it's too easy to violate.

"There are huge violations of his rights and I just can't see that it's customised to [Peacock's] needs," Jensen said. "I mean, his parents have given all the information on what sort of environment he thrives in, and this is the opposite of that."

Jensen said despite his violence, there is no need for Ashley's isolation.

"There are many many autistic people who have violent tendencies who are able to live in the community in an environment that is customised to their needs, who don't have to be in the kind of facility that Ashley is in."