Former Legal Department prosecutor Warwick Reid has been moved to a 'country club' prison while awaiting an extradition hearing to Hong Kong.
Reid was moved yesterday to the Waikeria Prison from a holding cell in his hometown of Tauranga. The 1,200-hectare prison and work farm, in the rolling hills of the Waikato region, is the largest jail in New Zealand.
'It is a country club prison and a pretty easy wicket,' a New Zealand legal source said.
'It is quite pleasant there actually. It is spacious and has lush green hills. The view is worth a million bucks on its own. Not a bad place for a vacation.' Reid, 48, is being housed in the remand section of the minimum to medium security prison while he awaits the extradition hearing date set for Tuesday.
It is understood his lawyer will apply to have the trial delayed.
While he awaits the hearing he can ponder his future in his spacious one-man cell. He has access to large exercise grounds and dines on fresh fruit, vegetables and meat from the prison work farm next door.