Rolleston Prison inmates who have been fixing up red-zoned houses in Christchurch have been given a fresh challenge - to build state houses from scratch.
For the past five years, the inmates gained vital skills rebuilding houses damaged in the quakes.
Now they've just been funded for another five years and tasked with building entire state houses.
- Damaged red-zone houses in Christchurch being refurbished by prisoners
- Plan to regenerate Christchurch red zone land approved by Minister Megan Woods
- How the Government will help those affected by botched earthquake repairs
"It's been incredible coming out here and seeing the work that is being done," says Housing Minister Megan Woods.
"It's is a win for the people that are gaining qualifications, it's a win for our building industry."
It's hoped the prisoners will build 100 state houses in five years.
The houses are built in the prison's construction yard and then transported to sites across Christchurch, before being re-let to tenants.
The prisoners are paid between 40 and 80 cents an hour for their work.
According to Housing New Zealand, around 140 tenants and their families currently live in a house restored through the programme.
Newshub.
