• A group of young people spent the night on the roof of a youth justice facility in Wiri after climbing up on Monday night.
• They are armed with metal and wood, shouting and throwing gang signs.
• Police staff are on site.

A group of young people who climbed on to the roof at a youth justice facility in the South Auckland suburb of Wiri yesterday evening spent the night up there and remain there this morning.

Oranga Tamariki Acting DCE, Iain Chapman said they notified police Monday night that 8 youths were on the roof. He told the Herald four of them remain on the roof this morning.

“Overnight and this morning 4 young people have come down,” he said.

He said there are no concerns for public safety and the young people are still within the facility.

“Many of the young people in custody in Youth Justice Facilities have committed serious offences motivated by a range of factors that include peer pressure, notoriety, and adrenaline,” Chapman said.

Chapman revealed it’s likely they participate in serious incidents once in custody for similar reasons.

“An operational review will be undertaken to determine the circumstances that led to this incident.”

An NZME photographer at the scene today heard young people shouting “F*** the police”.

“They are mainly out of sight and moving around on the roofs. A number of police cars are now parked in the centre carpark.”

The photographer said the young people appeared to have wide access across the large roof area, moving around at will.

They appeared to be armed with lengths of metal and wood.

“Conditions are blustery, two police cars have just left the facility,” he said.

The group appear to have been prepared, dressing warm with winter jackets and long pants.

“They are screaming, shouting and laughing with each other. They have bandanas over their faces and are throwing gang signs.”

On Monday a group of young people climbed on to the roof at Korowai Manaaki youth justice facility in Wiri, spending the night and remaining there today. Photo / Jason Dorday

Loud bangs and shouting could be heard on Tuesday morning as the young people worked to smash part of the rooftop.

“They are throwing round bits of construction around and they look like they’re trying to damage or deconstruct the roof.”

Korowai Manaaki Youth Justice Residence in Manukau, Auckland, can house up to 46 tamariki and rangatahi, according to Oranga Tamariki, which runs the facility.

The home has a troubled recent history. This year the Children and Young People’s Commission found staff were smuggling in contraband, roughing up children and silencing informants – information it released in a damning report in June.

Mana Mokopuna had conducted an unannounced visit to Korowai Manaaki in Wiri in February due to concerns raised with the commission by members of the public.

The June report showed goings-on at the facility did not reach the threshold for torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

However, there were serious concerns regarding staff practices and a lack of stable leadership.

A police spokesperson told the Herald on Tuesday morning they continued to monitor an incident at a facility in Wiri.

Two guards gained access to a neighbouring rooftop at the facility on Monday night and were yelling at the teenagers.

The young people, holding weapons in their hands, were shouting back.

Oranga Tamariki acting deputy chief executive youth justice services and residential care Iain Chapman confirmed yesterday it was responding to an incident at Korowai Manaaki.

“We notified police at 5.50pm this evening, that eight youths had gained access to a roof within the facility,” he said

“We are working with police to resolve this matter and can confirm there are no concerns for public safety and the young people are still within the facility.”

Police arriving at the youth justice facility in Wiri this morning after a group of youths spent the night on the roof. Photo / Jason Dorday

Three police vehicles were seen entering the facility while Department of Corrections staff arrived about 8.25pm and left shortly before 8.40pm. Staff were seen leaving a ladder at the entrance door to the facility.

Children’s Minister Karen Chhour said she was unable to comment because the situation was still developing.

“Thank you to all of the staff and teams who are working hard right now to keep everyone involved safe while this is being resolved.”

A group of young people climbed on to the roof at a youth justice facility in Wiri. Photo / Jason Dorday

In October, 13 youths climbed atop a roof at the same facility, demanding fast food, cigarettes and a getaway car.

Similar incidents occurred at the same facility last year when groups of young people climbed on to the roof of a building at the 40-bed facility.

An NZME photographer said the youths were screaming, shouting and laughing with one another, with bandanas over their faces and throwing gang signs. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Six young people endured a wet and cold night on the roof on July 1 after forcing their way out of a unit.

Temperatures dropped to about 11C during that July night and there was heavy rain in the area.

Note: An earlier version of this story said Corrections staff were on site. That was inaccurate and the story has been corrected.