Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

A prisoner believed to be wanting nicotine lozenges climbed onto the roof at Northland Regional Corrections Facility today.

The incident was now resolved and the prisoner was down from the roof and uninjured, Northern Regional Commissioner Sean Mason said.

There was no risk to public safety or the security of the prison, he said.

“Staff did an excellent job calmly de-escalating the incident and I would like to acknowledge them for their professionalism and bravery.”

While early indications were that the prisoner wanted nicotine lozenges, a full review of the incident will be carried out, Mason said.

The prison would consider referring the matter to police, he said.