The Race Relations Commissioner is calling for prisons to be run by iwi, believing the current model is not effective for Māori, who are over-represented in the prison system.
Meng Foon has Hastings' Mangaroa Prison initially in his sights and says he has been speaking with iwi to discuss the idea.
Ngahiwi Tomoana, the leader of Ngāti Kahungunu, says he hasn't heard from Foon about the concept but admits it is something his iwi has considered anyway.
