Mark Wallbank is a founder of Paranormal NZ, and says he’s always been intrigued by ghosts. As a young person, the idea that these were mere figments of people’s imaginations “didn’t stack up” for him. For the past 40 years, he’s been visiting locations, detailing and scrutinising “ghost encounters” all over the world. Although he’s the first to concede that “ghosts never come out to play on cue”, there have been several incidents that seem to defy any logical explanation. Especially for this Hallowe’en edition, Mark kindly spoke to ShoreLines about two of Paranormal NZ’s ongoing investigations nearby.
We’ve been lucky to form long-trusting relationships with a few iconic, historic and allegedly haunted locations on the North Shore. To be given unlimited access to these locations is an honour and something we are quite proud of.
The Pumphouse Theatre in Takapuna is one such icon that we hold close and dear. A special place that was saved and given a rebirth thanks to the love and dedication of the surrounding community.
It seems the theatre has its own ghostly resident (as do many theatres, actually!)
Those who work at the theatre believe the presence is that of one Cicely Margaret Escott, more commonly and lovingly referred to as “Peg”, who served on the Mairangi Players committee and directed, sang and acted in many plays, until she sadly passed away at Takapuna Beach. Her body was found in the Waitemata Harbour on 15 August 1977.
There have been reports of objects moving from one spot to another when no one else is around, shadows seen out of the corner of their eye, and a general feeling of never being alone but being watched when alone in the building. Actors have experienced the sensation of being pushed at the top of stairs, shadows have been seen, and lights have mysteriously blown.
More recently, a much-loved caretaker (and enthusiastic jump-in acting extra at times) passed away. Since his sad departure, there have been a few occurrences within the theatre that apparently have no explanation. A cleaner’s cupboard is sometimes found with its door open, cupboard contents pulled out, and cleaning items strewn around. This cupboard was used regularly by the caretaker, hence he is suspected to be the mischievous culprit. Perhaps he is still residing in and maintaining the theatre in his afterlife?
In 2015, security cameras captured two large doors leading out into the courtyard bursting open in the early hours when the theatre was locked up for the night. The force was so intense that it damaged the strong metal lock, which needed replacement. I spent some time there, trying to find a rational reason for the doors to move as they did. All reasonable explanations, like draughts, faulty locks, etc, were ruled out. A draught with that much focus and direct force could not have been generated in the building due to the layout of the theatre’s interior.
I have spent quite a few sessions in the theatre with my research team trying to make some sense of the alleged activity, and we have had experiences when investigating there (seeing moving shadows and hearing footsteps above, with no one present).
At this point, we have more questions than answers – which is why we return time and time again. We also run very popular public events there, with all proceeds to support the theatre.
We also enjoy our ongoing investigation of the Lake House Arts Centre. A stunning piece of historic real estate, built in the 1890s as a family home and, in 1997, relocated in seven pieces from its original place on Hurstmere Road at the northern end of Takapuna Beach.
A fascinating place with a somewhat eclectic and unusual back-story. Its early beginnings saw it go from a house to a hospital, boarding house and even utilised by a local “cult”, holding semi-regular social orgy gatherings.
We’ve had some very interesting experiences in this building. Not limited to just the team, but also for guest investigators who have joined us for a night. From some intriguing possible interactions via trigger objects and lights, the sound of movement, and quite a few glimpses of unusual moving shadows seen by all present at various times. Short shadows too, which seem to fit stories of a child seen on the stairs and around the building.
Many years ago, a “contorted old woman” was seen by a young child doing arts and crafts in one of the lower rooms. The “woman” was squatting high up in the ceiling corner, looking down. She was so terrifying that the girl ran from the room screaming. Traumatised.
A young girl has also been seen several times sitting or standing on the big stairwell. The stories of the girl on the stairs date back to when the house was in its beachfront location.
She has also been seen upstairs in the top-floor corridor. Interestingly, there have been multiple reports of small child-sized shadows moving around the building, as well as child-like voices and the pitter-patter of running feet on the wooden floorboards. These shadows have been witnessed by numerous investigators and guests during the team’s sessions.
Paranormal NZ researcher Sam Collier had a physical interaction during one session when his camera’s firmly fixed illuminator lamp was pushed back and twisted around on him as he ascended a small set of stairs – as though someone unseen was trying to push him backwards.
The team has had numerous possible interactions with various equipment and trigger lights being manipulated. At one point, investigator Aimee seemingly played (and lost) a game of dominoes with “Patty”, the apparent spirit of a nine-year-old girl who resided at the home. This was filmed and witnessed by myself and a guest investigator.
The sounds of a child running barefoot down the hallway, shuffling, knocks, sounds of movement, and some very intriguing lights, shadows, and sounds have been observed in an upstairs bathroom, during investigations by many in the team.
One guest, a very sceptical Wellington-based researcher, witnessed a short, child-sized shadow descend the stairs to where he was sitting on the floor below – to the point where he reached out his hand to stop it.
As you can imagine, these occurrences leave us with many questions, very few answers, and an overall sense of “something is definitely going on here”. What? How? Figuring it out, now that’s where the fun is!
