Health New Zealand plans to close Ward 10A at Wakari Hospital following findings by the chief ombudsman of potential human rights abuses.
Inspectors from the chief ombudsman's office visited the adult intellectual disability inpatient unit in March 2026 and uncovered potential human rights abuses, chief ombudsman John Allen said.
Seclusion and restraint practices
Inspectors observed long-term seclusion practices, including one person confined to their bedroom for approximately 18 months. They also found prolonged use of restraints on patients and unlawful administration of medication.
Patients were denied access to their own money and received access to toilet facilities and dental care as rewards for compliant behaviour.
In one case, inspectors found a patient was secured to a bariatric mat and moved around the ward, resulting in physical injuries including carpet burns as well as psychological harm.
"What they observed at Ward 10A are some of the worst practices we have observed anywhere," Allen said.
Amounted to torture, ombudsman says
Allen stated some of the treatment amounted to torture under international principles.
"I know that New Zealanders struggle with the idea that there's torture going on in places of detention across our country. But against those sorts of (international) principles, yes, in my view, that was probably torture," he said.
Allen called on Health New Zealand and the Ministry of Health to take immediate action following the inspection.
Ward closure and investigations
Health New Zealand urgently stopped new admissions to the ward in late April 2026 after the ombudsman visit and began planning patient relocations in May 2026.
The agency said patients were being moved to environments better suited to their requirements and it was attempting to limit seclusion and improve clinical oversight.
The Ministry of Health accepted Allen's recommendation for an independent investigation and confirmed it would probe the serious concerns. The ministry said the ward closure would not affect the investigation.
A district inspector was already probing two complaints about patient care at the ward. The inspector and ministry are evaluating legal pathways for further investigation.
Long-standing concerns
In 2022, the ombudsman at the time called the ward a disgrace and said an upgrade was critically needed.
Allen criticised the lack of improvements to make the unit fit for purpose, but acknowledged the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand acted quickly once concerns were raised.
"The issues at Ward 10A are a stark reminder that much more needs to be done to make sure the very vulnerable in our community, like people with intellectual disabilities, are kept safe and treated with dignity and respect," he said.
"This requires a sustained approach and acknowledgement that a one-size-fits all approach will not work."
What comes next
Health New Zealand mental health and addictions director Phil Grady said work had begun to close the ward but the future use of the facility was unknown.
Grady said the closure followed longstanding concerns about the ward's suitability for supporting people with high and complex needs and concerns about the physical environment.
"We take patient safety and care very seriously and want to acknowledge the patients, their families, and our staff, all of whom we are supporting during this period of change," he said.
"Our focus remains on ensuring the safety, dignity, and rights of the current patients, while strengthening oversight and reviewing practices."
Grady said the ombudsman's concerns related to treatment and conditions experienced by some patients, including restrictive practices, prolonged seclusion, rehabilitation opportunities and aspects of care delivery.
A national review of forensic intellectual disability services will be undertaken with the Minister of Social Development, which funds the services.
Health New Zealand has moved to enhance clinical oversight, review patient care plans and strengthen approaches to reducing seclusion and governance arrangements.
Affected staff are being supported and Health New Zealand is exploring redeployment options. The future use of the Ward 10A facility, including refurbishment and repurposing options, remains under consideration.