‘Is there anybody there?’

Paranormal NZ (formerly Haunted Auckland) is the country’s longest-running and most active paranormal research group.

Founder Mark Wallbank is quick to say, “We’re not ‘Ghostbusters’, exorcists, clairvoyants, or psychics! We don’t rid properties of alleged demons, and there’s no religious aspect to our work.”

Group members are neither staunch sceptics nor unconditional believers. Instead, they describe themselves as “real-world researchers” who learn through doing. “If we don’t know something, we say so. We keep asking questions.”

Paranormal events are those described as “beyond the scope of scientific understanding”. However, the team follows the scientific method as closely as possible – applying logical thinking and objectively assessing the results of any potential findings.

Individuals and organisations request visits from Mark’s team for a variety of reasons. “Some historic locations and businesses have noted intriguing things going on and think we might like to take a look. Or it could be families who feel they’re experiencing things in their homes and want an explanation and advice on how to deal with them. 

“We don’t charge for what we do. The opportunity to investigate a location and, hopefully, further our research is its own great reward.”

In the vast majority of cases, electrical or plumbing faults, building noises or photographic anomalies are the solution. Mark has also discussed the side effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF), such as headaches, nausea, and even hallucinations, many times. 

“‘Knowledge is power’, as they say, and sharing a few basics can often alleviate a lot of unnecessary fears and anxiety.”

When further investigation of a location does seem warranted, the team embraces current technology but chooses to steer clear of mainstream gadget fads, instead preferring a combination of old-school techniques coupled with a modern way of thinking. 

“Research time in locations is valuable and a privilege. Wasting it on pointless, flashy boxes that offer no accurate data or are vague and open to interpretation (and misinterpretation) is counter-productive and a poorly used opportunity.

“Thinking outside the confinements of the popular TV and social media-led mainstream is something we feel is essential if the field is to move forward and gain any serious credibility or traction within scientific and academic circles. That’s also why we don’t make claims we can’t back up with evidence or reliable data. We keep it real. No faking evidence or embellishing of facts. If nothing happened, nothing happened.”

Trying to create a fully controlled investigation environment isn’t always easy. Any human presence is a potential “contaminant”, so crew numbers are deliberately kept small – sometimes, just one person, plus data loggers and a ton of AV equipment.

Multiple camera and audio feeds are set up in key positions where activity has been reported, and these run concurrently for anything up to 12 hours. Checking all this data after an investigation is painstaking and time-consuming work.

Mark says that, while he and his team are sceptical and doubtful of some instances and ideas, they have seen and experienced enough to realise that dedication to the research is definitely a worthwhile cause. 

“True paranormal activity is sporadic and extremely rare. In more than 40 years of field research, there’ve been only four or five things that have stumped me and for which I could find no rational or practical explanation.”

The team decided many years ago to stop offering clearings and cleansings. “The more we uncovered, the more unethical – and even damaging – it seemed.

“We want to observe these ‘beings’. To interact with them, learn about them and from them directly (if such a thing is possible), and document our experiences to help advance the study of the paranormal.

“If theories about spirits are correct, then clearing or ‘banishing’ becomes nothing more than a punishment, torture, an eviction from a home, or even a death. Death to an entity (possibly living in an alternative dimension we are yet to comprehend) that has as much right to exist as ourselves.

“Until ghosts, spirits, negative energies, and demons have been sufficiently verified to exist, we feel very strongly that it would be inappropriate to assume a position of knowledge and superiority. Why should our rights outweigh theirs? It’s not acceptable to think we can enter their home and try to evict or eradicate them as if they were some sort of household pest.

“It’s about respect, understanding, and compassion on both sides.”

Has there ever been a time when Mark felt unsafe? Ironically, perhaps, only when other humans are involved. “We sometimes investigate abandoned or derelict buildings and, in the dark, hear unusual noises and movement. We then find out that people are using the property to sleep. It can be quite unsettling – for them and us!”

Things that go bump on the Shore

Some of the group’s most interesting ongoing cases are in Takapuna at The PumpHouse Theatre and Lake House Arts Centre. 

“We’ve been investigating these locations for several years and have spent many nights sitting in the dark or sleeping over with cameras set up to record every moment.”

There are allegedly three ghosts in residence at The PumpHouse.

“One is Margaret Escott, or Peg, as she is affectionately known, a prolific poet/writer who performed at the theatre. Another is the much-loved former caretaker/handyman, Michael Murphy, who passed away a few years ago. 

“Shadows, movement of items, odd noises, and equipment faults that have occurred through the years are often attributed to those two.” 

Also, a mystery phantom person is sometimes seen in seat nine of the back row. “We’ve done quite a few public events there, and we have had some pretty interesting experiences during those nights,” smiles Mark. 

At the Lake House Art Centre, the main ghost is that of a young girl, who had been encountered in the house long before it was cut into pieces and relocated from Takapuna Beach to its current site. Over the years, many people have reported short child-sized shadows wandering the halls, and footsteps, running and walking.

The team frequently uses small, inexpensive “push lights”, similar to those that work when a cupboard opens and closes, to communicate with “entities”. 

By asking simple questions and working through the alphabet, it’s been possible to have conversations with this being. The lights have flashed when certain questions have been asked and stayed off during silence.

“It took about 90 minutes, but we established that her name is Patricia, known as Patty, and she’s nine years old.”

When one team member took along some children’s toys, Patty activated the light to show an interest in the dominoes. A game ensued, with Patty flashing a light to select the domino she wished to play. “I was lying flat on my front, holding a camera, and I watched her beat her human opponent!”

A very tall shadow person is also sometimes seen standing in what is now the upstairs outdoor toilet/shower room. “We’ve seen this a few times during time spent upstairs. 

“Both investigation locations are a work in progress. After quite a few years of regular returns, we are starting to see patterns. It’s almost like whatever or whoever might be there is becoming familiar to us and seems to be showing to us in more obvious ways.”

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