New Zealand - A positive review of New Zealand's only ever privately run prison has fuelled fresh calls for the government to drop its ideological opposition to private prisons.

Auckland Central Remand Prison was returned to public management last year after five years under the management of GEO New Zealand Limited.

A Corrections Department review has recommended the public service move towards GEO's staffing ratios and keep a number of its practices. The National Party says the review shows the private system worked well and it will look at reintroducing private prison management if elected.

The party's spokesperson for Law and Order, Simon Power, says the review shows the private sector can run an efficient and humane prison service. However, Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor says the government remains firmly opposed to private prisons and sees no role for private enterprise in running prisons.

He says it must be remembered that it was only a remand prison and GEO had the advantage of a brand new building.