About 100 prison workers have protested outside Parliament against a proposal to privatise prisons.
Corrections Minister Judith Collins says intends to privatise only two prisons, Auckland's Mt Eden prison and a new prison being built at Wiri in South Auckland.
Protesters held placards saying "dirty deeds done dirty cheap", "say no to jail sale" and "prisons now, police next".
They say privatising prisons would cost more money and put their safety at risk.
Ms Collins says there will be plenty of jobs for those not wanting to work for private prisons.
She says she has made it clear to those tendering for the private contracts that they will be subjected to the Official Information Act and will be scrutinised by the Government.
Labour Party Corrections spokesperson Clayton Cosgrove, who addressed the rally, says the safety of prison workers is at risk under privatisation.
Mr Cosgrove says the Government wants to go ahead with privatisation so as to distance itself from any problems.
