It's one of the most brazen robberies in New Zealand's history. In November 1956, Auckland mobsters made off with the equivalent today of $1 million after breaking into the Waterfront Industry Commission's offices.

In 1956, Auckland mobsters might have pulled off the heist of the century, after breaking into the Waterfront Industry Commission offices and making off with the equivalent of a million dollars.

In his book The Great New Zealand Robbery, Scott Bainbridge tells the rollicking story of how robbers blew up a safe in the Waterfront Industry Office which was full with the week's wages.

A man named Trevor Nash was eventually arrested, tried and jailed for the offence. Then he escaped and only a stroke of luck enabled police to recapture him.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details