The 16 men on top of Waikeria Prison say Corrections need to start telling the truth about what is really happening, and that they will sit there "for as long as it takes".
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The men have been holed up in a high-security building since Tuesday, when they lit several fires to protest against poor conditions.
The building has since been extensively damaged and the Department of Corrections said it was unlikely to be used again. Late yesterday afternoon, one of the inmates surrendered after he was assaulted by the others who attempted to prevent him from leaving.
The Corrections Department says inmates continued to light fires and cause further damage last night.
But RNZ has been able to speak with one of the prisoners this afternoon, who has described the prison as "inhumane'.
He said that the Department of Corrections needed to start telling the truth and stop twisting the story for its own reputation.
"They say we are rioting, but we aren't," the man told RNZ.
"We are protesting for a cause and that's why we have gone this far.
"We will sit here for as long as it takes, we would die for this cause.
"Inside or outside the gate, we are all human and we want to be treated like that."
He said Corrections had been telling media they were concerned for our health and safety.
"Well, if they are, why are they still letting us drink our own urine?"
The inmate told RNZ that they want media to be able to go in there and speak to them directly.
"They keep say it's unsafe for media to go in but why did they let kaumātua and Rawiri (Waititi) come in yesterday."
In a statement, Corrections said while they were protesting conditions at the prison and not rioting, "their actions are clearly violent". It claimed the prisoners were making weapons to use against staff and had accessed a medical dispensary where controlled drugs were being held
"The buildings within the facility are significantly damaged and we have concerns about their structural integrity. In addition, we know that there are tensions between the prisoners themselves which are likely to result in violence, evidenced by the assault carried out on the man who surrendered last night.
"We remain concerned that the men are putting themselves at significant risk by remaining where they are."
Corrections said it remained a "highly volatile and dangerous situation" and it was not prepared to compromise the safety of staff.
It said the prisoners would not be provided water until they surrendered.
Meanwhile, the National Party says there must be a full investigation into how the situation at Waikeria started and whether the response to it has been adequate.
National Party MP Simeon Brown said the damage had forced Corrections to move hundreds of prisoners around the country to keep them safe.
Brown said the Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis needed to show leadership and visit the prison to make sure those trying to resolve this situation had all the support they needed.
He said it was hard to believe the incident had been allowed to continue for four days.