An investigation by the country's Ombudsmen of detention facilities has discovered a "disturbing" case of a mental health patient restrained in solitary confinement for nearly six years.
Chief Ombudsman Beverley Wakem said the patient at an unnamed district health board was often held in restraints in a bare room.
It was one of several disturbing cases of possibly inhumane treatment in facilities stretching from youth facilities to prisons in the Ombudmen's report, The New Zealand Herald reported.
The health board in question had claimed the patient was secured because he was a danger to staff and other patients, but since the Ombudsmen became involved he had been moved to somewhere more suitable.
"Why nobody thought to look at that and make that assessment before we arrived on the scene is a cause for concern," Ms Wakem said.
It was one example of "potential cruel and inhumane treatment" found during year-long investigations, with another case involving a young intellectually disabled patient having been kept in seclusion for years.
Health Ministry director of mental health David Chaplow said he was concerned to learn about the cases last night and would order an urgent report.
Dr Chaplow said there was now a "sinking lid" policy on seclusion, but it had a place in mental health care.
The report also outlined concerns about a lack of ventilation in some prison cells and said excessive temperatures could amount to "cruel" or "inhumane" treatment.
