Spring Hill prison hunger strike

The story so far

A 77-year-old kaumātua was taken into custody on 5 March for not living at his approved address, and was later on a hunger strike at Spring Hill Corrections Facility.^{18 Mar 2025} His lawyers said the protest followed an alleged beating by several prison guards on 6 March, and police are investigating the assault claims.^{18, 24 Mar 2025} He reportedly lost 17kg and faced risks of organ failure, and after refusing food for 14 days he was moved to Waikato Hospital with suspected kidney issues.^{19, 24 Mar 2025} His parole board hearing was brought forward to a Wednesday, and he appeared before the board after being hospitalised.^{24, 26 Mar 2025} He was then released to serve the rest of his sentence in the community, ending a hunger strike that began on 10 March.^{26 Mar 2025}

Latest

The prisoner has been released to serve the remainder of his sentence in the community, after appearing before the Parole Board on Wednesday.^{26 Mar 2025} His release followed a hunger strike that he began in protest of alleged mistreatment by prison guards.^{26 Mar 2025}

Key moments

1. 18 Mar 2025Prisoner on hunger strike, alleging a beating by multiple guards at Spring Hill.
2. 19 Mar 2025Prisoner reportedly loses 17kg after nine days, with lawyer warning of organ failure risk.
3. 24 Mar 2025Prisoner hospitalised at Waikato Hospital with suspected kidney issues; police investigating assault claims.
4. 24 Mar 2025Parole board hearing brought forward to Wednesday after declining health.
5. 26 Mar 2025Prisoner released to serve the rest of his sentence in the community.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.