The first two units to reintegrate Maori prisoners back into their communities should be in use by the second half of next year.
Whare Oranga Ake are the brainchild of Maori Party co-leader and Associate Corrections Minister Pita Sharples.
The Corrections Department says 16-bed units will be located outside the wire at Maungaroa prison in Hawke's Bay and Spring Hill prison in Waikato.
Rehabilitation services general manager Alison Thom says Corrections will work closely with iwi and Maori service providers to give the inmates the bridge they need to move back into the community.
