Prisoner To Professor: The Top NZ Criminologist Who’s 'Tried Every Drug'
Dom Harvey
10,813 views
Greg Newbold is best known as one of New Zealand’s top criminologists. He spent 30 years at Canterbury University and became to go-to guy whenever the main stream media wanted someone to comment on crime.
But his back story is jaw dropping.
In the 1970s, when Greg was in his early 20s, he was a heroin user and dealer, socialising in the same circles as New Zealand’s most infamous drug dealer, Terry Clarke aka Mr Asia.
He eventually got busted and was sentenced to seven-and-a-half-years in prison.
Then somehow… he comes out the other side, gets a PhD and completely reinvented himself as one of New Zealand’s leading criminologists and university professors.
Today he is nearly 75, fitter than most 40-year-olds, still swims, bikes and lifts weights six days a week… and doesn’t own a cell phone.
He has just put out a new book too called Dream Dealer.
https://www.paperplus.co.nz/shop/book...
In this conversation, Greg opens up about how he became addicted to heroin, the reality of life at Paremoremo maximum security prison back then, and the surprising lessons he learned about human nature while locked up alongside some of the country’s most notorious criminals.
At nearly 75 years old, Greg’s still running, swimming, lifting weights, and reflecting on a life that’s been chaotic, controversial, and ultimately incredibly fulfilling.
***
Massive thanks to my long‑term podcast sponsor, Generate.
Like a lot of Kiwis, I spent years saying, “I’ll look at my KiwiSaver account later.”
Turns out later comes around faster than you think, and the decisions you make now could be the difference between counting every dollar in retirement or having the freedom to take that trip you've always talked about.
I switched my KiwiSaver account to Generate after they came on board, and honestly, I should’ve done it sooner.
They’re an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with strong long‑term performance. You can check out their latest returns online, or book a no‑obligation chat with one of their friendly advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom.
No pressure, no judgement — they’re just there to help wherever you’re at in your investing journey.
The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. You can view their Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Advice Provider information at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/disclosures.
Past performance does not guarantee future returns.
And just a reminder — I’m a podcast host, not a financial adviser. This is general information only, and I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.
The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Dom Harvey Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast, its producers, or any sponsors associated with the show.
***
0:00 Introduction
0:56 Welcome to the Podcast
1:07 Living Without a Cell Phone
2:45 Writing the Memoir: Dream Dealer
5:06 Prison Solidarity and Gang Culture
6:21 From Prisoner to Professor
7:15 Social Circles and Friends
10:11 The 'Dream Dealer' Persona
11:52 Views on Crime and Sentencing
25:24 Entering the Drug Trade
29:28 The Truth About 'Mr. Asia'
30:06 Reflecting on Heroin and Past Drug Use
32:00 Thoughts on Ketamine and MDMA
37:28 The Arrest and Conviction
45:50 Life in Paremoremo Maximum Security
47:06 The Origin of 'Dream Dealer'
47:42 The Notorious 'A Block' Syringe
53:30 Dean Wickliffe and Prison Escapes
55:47 Writing Prison Diaries and Theses
58:37 Being an Intellectual in Prison
1:03:03 Food and Daily Life in Prison
1:08:05 Friendship with Arthur Allan Thomas
1:15:05 Lessons in Human Nature
1:20:48 Rebuilding Life After Prison
1:23:54 University, Law, and Academia
1:26:43 Parole and Release
1:27:00 Marathons and Athletic Achievements
1:30:08 Stigma and Second Chances
1:52:06 Policy Reform and 'Tough on Crime' Politics
1:55:42 Reflection on the Young Self
1:58:25 Aging and Staying Fit
1:59:01 Gratitude and Marriage
2:05:29 Addressing Past Mistakes
2:06:07 An Honest Heart
20 Comments
Prisoner To Professor: The Top NZ Criminologist Who’s 'Tried Every Drug'
Dom Harvey
10,813 views
Greg Newbold is best known as one of New Zealand’s top criminologists. He spent 30 years at Canterbury University and became to go-to guy whenever the main stream media wanted someone to comment on crime.
But his back story is jaw dropping.
In the 1970s, when Greg was in his early 20s, he was a heroin user and dealer, socialising in the same circles as New Zealand’s most infamous drug dealer, Terry Clarke aka Mr Asia.
He eventually got busted and was sentenced to seven-and-a-half-years in prison.
Then somehow… he comes out the other side, gets a PhD and completely reinvented himself as one of New Zealand’s leading criminologists and university professors.
Today he is nearly 75, fitter than most 40-year-olds, still swims, bikes and lifts weights six days a week… and doesn’t own a cell phone.
He has just put out a new book too called Dream Dealer.
https://www.paperplus.co.nz/shop/book...
In this conversation, Greg opens up about how he became addicted to heroin, the reality of life at Paremoremo maximum security prison back then, and the surprising lessons he learned about human nature while locked up alongside some of the country’s most notorious criminals.
At nearly 75 years old, Greg’s still running, swimming, lifting weights, and reflecting on a life that’s been chaotic, controversial, and ultimately incredibly fulfilling.
***
Massive thanks to my long‑term podcast sponsor, Generate.
Like a lot of Kiwis, I spent years saying, “I’ll look at my KiwiSaver account later.”
Turns out later comes around faster than you think, and the decisions you make now could be the difference between counting every dollar in retirement or having the freedom to take that trip you've always talked about.
I switched my KiwiSaver account to Generate after they came on board, and honestly, I should’ve done it sooner.
They’re an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with strong long‑term performance. You can check out their latest returns online, or book a no‑obligation chat with one of their friendly advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom.
No pressure, no judgement — they’re just there to help wherever you’re at in your investing journey.
The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. You can view their Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Advice Provider information at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/disclosures.
Past performance does not guarantee future returns.
And just a reminder — I’m a podcast host, not a financial adviser. This is general information only, and I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.
The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Dom Harvey Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast, its producers, or any sponsors associated with the show.
***
0:00 Introduction
0:56 Welcome to the Podcast
1:07 Living Without a Cell Phone
2:45 Writing the Memoir: Dream Dealer
5:06 Prison Solidarity and Gang Culture
6:21 From Prisoner to Professor
7:15 Social Circles and Friends
10:11 The 'Dream Dealer' Persona
11:52 Views on Crime and Sentencing
25:24 Entering the Drug Trade
29:28 The Truth About 'Mr. Asia'
30:06 Reflecting on Heroin and Past Drug Use
32:00 Thoughts on Ketamine and MDMA
37:28 The Arrest and Conviction
45:50 Life in Paremoremo Maximum Security
47:06 The Origin of 'Dream Dealer'
47:42 The Notorious 'A Block' Syringe
53:30 Dean Wickliffe and Prison Escapes
55:47 Writing Prison Diaries and Theses
58:37 Being an Intellectual in Prison
1:03:03 Food and Daily Life in Prison
1:08:05 Friendship with Arthur Allan Thomas
1:15:05 Lessons in Human Nature
1:20:48 Rebuilding Life After Prison
1:23:54 University, Law, and Academia
1:26:43 Parole and Release
1:27:00 Marathons and Athletic Achievements
1:30:08 Stigma and Second Chances
1:52:06 Policy Reform and 'Tough on Crime' Politics
1:55:42 Reflection on the Young Self
1:58:25 Aging and Staying Fit
1:59:01 Gratitude and Marriage
2:05:29 Addressing Past Mistakes
2:06:07 An Honest Heart