Residents in the Christchurch suburb of Opawa are vowing to stop a new probation and psychological services centre from being built in their area.
Plans for the centre, where up to 380 offenders will report weekly, have been in train for two and a half years - but locals are angry with what they say is a lack of consultation.
The Probation Service says affected residents were consulted about the plans.
But more than 200 people met in Opawa on Monday night to voice their opposition.
One of the meeting organisers, Vivienne Yeki, says the centre will make the area unsafe, and many residents found out it was going to be built only a few weeks ago.
