The $218 million prison development has horrified people because of its height and the shadow it cast, the New Zealand Herald reported today.
One Auckland City councillor said the new building, which would provide 554 more prison beds when it was finished in April next year, was higher than shown on the original plan.
Auckland Mayor John Banks told the newspaper the new prison was a "an architectural monstrosity".
Many cells would be higher than the motorway but the Corrections Department said windows would be frosted and inmates would not be able to see through them.
Auckland Grammar School said it was also worried by the development.
Board of trustees chairman Jeff Blackburn told the department there were security risks posed by a shared boundary fence. They were also concerned at the prospect of shade ruining sports fields, the potential for prisoners to look onto the school's grounds and for sound to carry from the new tower.
Auckland City councillor Glenda Fryer, who represents Mt Eden and Mt Albert said the original draft plans the council was shown had the tower at the same height as the motorway but it was now five storeys above it.
