The Government has signed an $840 million contract for a men's prison in south Auckland.
The 960-bed prison at Wiri is to be designed, built and run by a consortium known as Secure Future.
The group comprises Fletcher Construction, Spotless Facility Services and Serco, which runs Mt Eden Prison.
Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says the public-private partnership is $170 million cheaper than if the jail was financed under the public system.
Mrs Tolley says about 300 staff will be hired to run the prison and a further 1000 involved in construction.
