What the Hell Happened at Woofington’s?: New docu-series explores strange tale of doggy daycare

Thursday, 18 June 2026

It sounds like something ripped from the pages of a colourful crime novel – drugs, bombs and a severed finger – set against the backdrop of a luxury daycare for dogs located within a castle. But the story that journalist and director Baz Macdonald (Hunt for the Bunker People, Milk and Money) tells in new docu-series What the Hell Happened at Woofingtons?, which screens on TVNZ+, truly is that bizarre.

For Macdonald, the strange tale of Woofington’s was one he just couldn’t get out of his head.

“There was a mystery in Wellington, and it was the kind of thing that a lot of people knew about, but nobody knew enough and wanted to know more, and I was in the position to be able to find the answers to those questions.”

That mystery began in 1999, when a local businessman built an imposing fortress-like castle from a decommissioned radar bunker, perched atop Hawkins Hill in Brooklyn. It was originally intended to be a convention centre, but instead opened as a luxury doggy daycare in 2016. Woofington’s canine clients were chauffeured in a Porsche and had their own private pens, where they could watch TV beneath a chandelier.

While perhaps a slightly eccentric enterprise, all seemed well at Woofington’s – for the most part. There were some negative reviews, with some hinting at potential drug use at the castle, but there were also many satisfied pet parents.

But in 2019, the police raided Woofington’s, piquing Macdonald’s interest. There were very few details released as to what police were looking for – or hoped to find. But one man was charged for possessing an improvised explosive device.

The police operation raised more questions than it answered and, like so many stories that take place within a community, there has been much rumour and speculation ever since.

Across three episodes, Macdonald links together the stories of the criminal activity that took place at Woofington’s – and beyond its walls. He also speaks with some of the figures involved to uncover the extent of that activity – and the impact on those connected to the palatial pet palace.

“It was a very traumatising thing for a lot of people,” says Macdonald. “I was really aware of how confronting it would be for a lot of people who had a story to share about their experience at Woofington’s to dredge that up. You’ll meet some of these people throughout the series, but that really was, for me, the real priority, to make sure that those people who were sharing their story were as supported as possible.”

There are shocking elements in the series that are beyond what many New Zealanders will ever experience, such as a kidnapping, armed robbery and that severed digit. But Macdonald says there are also aspects which are sadly more universal, such as drug abuse, socioeconomic strain and the cycles of violence that can occur in families.

“This series ended up being a microcosm, a really powerful example of these larger systemic issues, and I hope it starts a conversation about how this specific story actually highlights larger issues that we need to confront as a country.”

With his docu-series, Macdonald hopes to finally offer answers to some of the burning questions the community has long pondered about the castle on the hill.

“This is a business that asked people to entrust them with part of their family. I’ve spoken to many people who took their dogs there, who have some trauma from realising that they had placed part of their heart – as some people describe their animals – in such a dysfunctional space.”

But Macdonald also wants to assure viewers, especially animal lovers, that no animal abuse took place at Woofington’s. The doggy daycare is really just the stage for the story that Macdonald unfurls.

“It’s not a story about animal abuse, it’s a story about human folly, about human issues, so they don’t have to worry about that.

“Even when people who were very dysfunctional worked there, they really did care about the animals and wanted to do their best for the animals.”

What the Hell Happened at Wooftington’s?, TVNZ+