An inmate at Auckland Prison in Paremoremo is dead after being attacked by another prisoner this afternoon.
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
A statement from the Department of Corrections says the inmate was injured in the yard shortly before 3pm.
Prison staff moved to stop the attack and provided medical assistance.
The alleged attacker has been segregated from the rest of the inmates.
Corrections says it will carry out a full investigation and provide CCTV footage and any other evidence to police.
"None of the staff are injured but they've had to witness a horrific incident," Corrections Association national president Alan Whitley told Checkpoint.
"They should've had cameras on, they would have had stab-proof vests on.
"We'd like to see prisoners that are caught with shanks charged under the Criminal Justice Act, under Section 202A, it's an offence to carry an offensive weapon."
A statement from police says the person died at the scene.