Minister for Children, Karen Chhour, has hit back at claims by Greens MP, Chloe Swarbrick, in Parliament today that youths involved in a rooftop protest at Korowai Manaaki this week have been deprived of food and fresh air.
Minister Chhour says the claims are false and an investigation is continuing into the rooftop incident.
“The only young people who have been denied time outdoors, are those who did not participate in the incident, because staff had to keep them inside while they cleaned up the damage caused by the young people on the roof and made the place safe for them,” said Ms Chhour.
“The young people on the roof did not make any requests or demands to Oranga Tamariki staff.
“I agree these young people should be taken seriously. That is why there will be consequences for their actions,” she said.