A south Auckland community leader is preparing to fight plans for a new prison but says if the jail does go ahead, the Department of Corrections must be prepared to foot the bill for its impact on the community.
Hearings over the new 1060- bed men's prison at Wiri were beginning on Monday.
Manurewa Local Board chairman Daniel Newman says if the jail is built, families of prisoners are likey to settle in the area which will stretch services like health, education and housing.
Mr Newman says the Department of Corrections has a responsibility to pay for extra resources.
Most of the submitters at the hearing oppose the prison but some say it will be good for local businesses.
