Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has admitted to "a bit of a mix-up" after a messy press conference yesterday where he and the Corrections Minister gave contradicting numbers on a $1.9 billion prison package.
The $1.9 billion prison package promises additional beds and guards across Aotearoa's prison network.
But the conference left many scratching their heads after the PM and Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell claimed 810 additional planned beds at Waikeria Prison included 600 already funded and previously announced by Labour — which wasn't the case.
A swift correction sent to media after the conference confirmed this — saying the Government's new beds would be on top of those funded by Labour.
It means the prison will have 1865 beds in total once the extension is completed.
Speaking to Breakfast this morning, Luxon said: "There was a bit of a mix-up in the press conference.
"I spoke to Mark [Mitchell] on the way out, and we quickly clarified it."
He further clarified the Government's plans for the prison.
"Essentially there are 455 beds at Waikeria Prison today, there are 600 beds that will come on track next year, and what we announced yesterday was an additional 810 on top of that."
He said the expansion would coincide with additional staff, pay increases for Corrections officers and rehabilitation programmes for prisoners on remand.
He described it as a "really good package".
"The key thing that people need to understand is that we're expanding prison capacity, we're supporting our Corrections officers, and we're making sure we're supporting offenders with rehabilitation services."
When asked why the Government was building what will be the country's largest prison, the PM said it was to cope with increased demand.
"We are acknowledging that we're going to be tougher on crime and that there will be a higher prison population, and we just want to make sure that there is sufficient prison capacity in the system for what we may need in the future," Luxon said.
Yesterday's blunder was not the first time Mitchell has come under fire for muddling his words. In January he said: "The Government's policy is to deliver 500 additional police officers over the term of this government, which is three years."
This was despite the coalition agreement between National and New Zealand First including a commitment to "training no fewer than 500 new frontline police within the first two years".
Following this, Luxon said Mitchell had "muddled his words a bit" and that the coalition agreement stands.
Asked if he thought Mitchell was struggling with his portfolios, Luxon said Mitchell was doing a "great job".
"He cares deeply about what is happening in our society, and he is doing a great job.
"He is really determined to play his part in restoring law and order in New Zealand."
Speaking to RNZ this morning, Mitchell admitted he "muddied the waters" with the mix-up, claiming he was "so focused on the near, on the right here and now".
"And probably went into far too much detail around that, and I accept the fact it muddied the waters."
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