On the run: New Zealand's greatest prison escapes

In this episode of A Moment In Crime - the last for 2023 - senior journalist Anna Leask looks back at some of the country’s most brazen prison escapes, and speaks to one of the most high-profile escapees in history.

Arthur Taylor spent almost a month on the run with two murderers and a robber after masterminding an escape from New Zealand’s toughest prison at Paremoremo near Auckland.

You’ll also hear from others who escaped multiple times including Dean Wickliffe, and, about why inmates go on the lam.

To date, no one has ever escaped prison in New Zealand and managed to stay away forever - they are all caught and hauled back eventually.

But over the years many a man - and a couple of women - have tried.

Leask has covered a number of these escapes for the Herald and canvassed many more in her book Behind Bars, published in 2017.

A full spread that further details the escapes is also available on nzherald.co.nz.

This episode contains strong language and is suited to a mature audience. 

For more on Leask's book Behind Bars click here.

 

Read more:

Exclusive: Dean Wickliffe, the life and times of New Zealand's most 'notorious' crim

Exclusive: Notorious criminal Dean Wickliffe pens book about 41 years behind bars

Rimutaka Prison escapee guilty of rape, assault with a weapon and abduction, name suppression lapses for Damon John Exley

Phillip Smith's long history of terrifying and abusive behaviour

Whereabouts up in air

Greed the downfall of New Zealand's 'Godfather'

 

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