George Wilder escapes from prison

George Wilder was a burglar who left apology and thank-you notes for his victims. He was at large for 65 days, becoming a folk hero in the process.

Wilder was serving time for burglary and theft when he scaled one of New Plymouth Prison’s highest walls in May 1962. While he was on the run, his ability to stay one step ahead of the police caught the public imagination. The Howard Morrison Quartet later celebrated his exploits with their song, ‘George the Wild(er) N.Z. Boy’.

Recaptured in July 1962, he escaped on two further occasions before breaking out of Mt Eden Prison with three others in January 1963. This time he managed to elude the police for 172 days. Newspapers provided regular updates on his escapades until he was finally recaptured near Taupō.

Wilder escaped from Mt Eden again in February 1964. Unlike his previous breakouts, this one was short-lived. Wilder and two fellow escapees took refuge in a house in Mt Eden, only 1.5 km from the prison. After a tense three-hour standoff with police, the fugitives surrendered when threatened with tear gas.