The family of a slain man have protested outside Auckland Prison in an attempt to persuade the Corrections Department to let his father attend his funeral.
John Maeva, 26, was shot three times outside his house in Papatoetoe early last Sunday. His funeral is planned for Tuesday.
Mr Maeva's aunt, Tua Huri, says his father, who's in prison on drugs charges, has been refused permission to attend the funeral.
She and about 40 friends and family picketed outside the prison at Paremoremo, on the weekend.
Mrs Huri says she's angry that her brother is not being given the chance to properly grieve for his son.
But the department says releasing him would be a risk to both the prison guards and the public. It says it understands the death is a distressing time for the family, but is making no apologies.
A man, 31, appeared in the Manukau District Court on 2 September charged with murder.
