The Richard Prouse Park Tunnel was constructed between 1881 and 1882. It is situated in the vicinity of the Reservoir Road/Whitcher Grove area. It was originally a water race from the reservoir which was in operation until the 1899. This large shaft goes down approximately 20 metres (65 feet) into the ground until it reaches a 43 metres long horizontal tunnel. The entrance to the horizontal tunnel was sealed off using bricks in the early 1980s and was then eventually covered in thick bush making it very difficult to find. It was possible as late as the 1970s to traverse through the horizontal tunnel toward the shaft. The surrounding area around the shaft and horizontal tunnel were once strewn with rocks due to the tunnel’s construction and excavation. The shaft (pictured) is also now fully hidden from the public as the area is completely covered with native bush with no access path.
As part of the waterworks network, this water race channeled water through the top of the shaft, from which it then cascaded downwards. While in the horizontal tunnel, the water was directed into a pipe that transported it to Wellington. The tunnel follows a slight downward gradient, commencing at the shaft and extending towards Richard Prouse Park.
