In 1856, on the lower slopes of Mt Eden - a wooden stockade was built to house the overflowing at the Queen Street Goal. Sixteen of the most troublesome prisoners were transferred to the stockade in September 1856. Three of these men were serving a life sentence, one for stabbing a ship captain in the Bay of Islands, one for rape in the Auckland suburb of Newmarket, and one for killing a Maori with a piece of wood in Chancery Lane, a street in Auckland.

In 1865, completion of a new building on the site allowed the now decrepit Queen Street Goal to be demolished. Using mostly prison labour, construction continued, expanding the facilities further.

By the mid 1870s, prisoners had completed the outer stone wall, the wall that still stands today. In 1882, prisoners began excavation work on a building; Mount Eden Prison was officially opened in 1888.

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PUKEKAWA. WAIKATO. On the 2nd of March 1971, Arthur Allan Thomas, having been found guilty of double murder, was driven from the Auckland District Court, 30km north, over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Exiting at Albany, the police van eventually got onto Paremoremo Road.

The ‘paddy wagon’ drove another 5km before taking a left, soon after the van pulled over. When Arthur exited the vehicle he was greeted by, what would be his home for the foreseeable future, Paremoremo Maximum Security Prison.

The song that ends the podcast today is courtsey of Folksong NZ: Mist on the Waitako

Visit www.truecrimenz.com for additional information on this case. Including a transcript of this episode, with supporting pictures, sources, and credits.

PUKEKAWA. WAIKATO. 22nd of June 1970. 2.20pm. Tuakau police constable Gerald Wyllie answered a call from Owen Priest. Owen explained that Harvey and Jeannette Crewe, farmers in Pukekawa were missing. There were bloodstains in the kitchen and lounge. 

Furthermore, Rochelle; the Crewe’s 18 month old daughter was found to be without her parents in the house for five days. Although, most peculiar, it appeared Rochelle had been fed and looked after for those five days. 

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PUKEKAWA. WAIKATO. Pukekawa is a small district in the Waikato, approx. 66km from central Auckland. In the early years of NZ, Pukekawa was used as a battleground for the early NZ wars. By the early 1900s, Pukekawa was known as a ‘rural Pakeha settlement’. The area was known to have fertile soil; over time it became a popular farming spot. 

By 1970, Pukekawa was a small, albeit affluent farming community. On the 22 June 1970, the small community of Pukekawa was shattered by one of New Zealand’s most infamous crimes.

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PALMERSTON NORTH, MANAWATU. On the 25 August 1996, a letter came across the desk of Detective Constable Brent Garner. Brent opened the letter and began reading, “COP, you drew the straw. Chapter 1 starts. You will die, I guarantee. The Executioner.”

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When we stummbled upon the alarming high number of victims of sexual abuse by the time of adulthood - True Crime NZ decided to look into this subject matter a little closer.  Opening a dialogue into taboo topics is never easy, but we must examine our own reluctance and courageously wade into this unconscious quagmire if we’re going to help. 

This episode will be slightly different from our usual content. Instead of investigating a case, we will be investigating a subject, a difficult topic to discuss, with the goal of trying to understand and ultimately, equip us better to help victims of incestuous child abuse in NZ.

If you need help for any of the topics discussed in the episode. Resources and support are availble. You are not alone.

Child Abuse PREVENTION Resources:
Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children
Help Auckland
Are you OK
Child Abuse Prevention Parent Helpline - 0800 568 856

Visit www.truecrimenz.com for additional information on this case. Including a transcript of this episode, with supporting pictures, sources, and credits.