Phone +64 6-835 9933 | ||
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Address 55 Coote Rd, Bluff Hill, Napier 4110, New Zealand Hours Open today · 9AM–5PMTuesday9AM–5PMWednesday9AM–5PMThursday9AM–5PMFriday9AM–5PMSaturday9AM–5PMSunday9AM–5PMMonday9AM–5PMSuggest an edit Similar National Aquarium of New Z, Bluff Hill Lookout, MTG Hawke's Bay, Te Mata Peak, Cape Kidnappers | ||
Napier prison new zealand oldest prison 1931 earthquake
Napier Prison is a former prison in Napier that was New Zealand's oldest prison. It is now an historic facility, which offers guided day and night tours by appointment and self-guided audio tours all day. It is also the only building where it is possible to see the original path of the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake.
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Napier prison
History
Napier Prison was constructed on Napier Hill in 1862 and was used until the early 1990s, being officially decommissioned in 1993. In addition to being a prison, the location was also used as an orphanage and a psychiatric unit. During the 19th century, four hangings were conducted at the prison.
Tourist attraction
In 2002, it was re-opened as a tourist attraction. The former prison was used as the venue for the filming of the 2006 television show Redemption Hill. Also featured in the "Off the Rails" TV series.
There have been many reports of ghostly occurrences at the site such as unexplained footsteps, disembodied faces, doors opening and closing on their own, and the ghost of a murderer on the anniversary of his execution. The best known former prisoner is Roland Edwards, a mass murderer whose spirit is said to haunt the area. He died on July 15 and paranormal activity is reputedly more prevalent around the anniversary of his death. In 2011, a team from the television series Ghost Hunters International spent four days at the old prison and "were not disappointed".