New Zealand published books on ghosts and the paranormal
If you are interested in the history of paranormal in New Zealand, or if you are running a paranormal investigation group, these books should probably be in your library. They are all excellent, indispensable resources, and most of the information in them is not available online. Note: we are NOT selling these books, (except Spooked, of course) just letting you know that they exist.
If the books are listed as "out of print", you should still be able to find them easily enough on Trade Me, or in second hand bookshops, or in your local library.
This list is not exhaustive. If you are aware of a book that ought to be included, please let me know about it. Include a scan of the cover and publication details as below, or - even better - send me a copy! (We're aware that there are many books on UFOs in NZ, so have just shown one here to stand for all of them.)
If the books are listed as "out of print", you should still be able to find them easily enough on Trade Me, or in second hand bookshops, or in your local library.
This list is not exhaustive. If you are aware of a book that ought to be included, please let me know about it. Include a scan of the cover and publication details as below, or - even better - send me a copy! (We're aware that there are many books on UFOs in NZ, so have just shown one here to stand for all of them.)
Haunted New Zealand Road Trip - In search of paranormal activity
By Mark Wallbank
New Holland Publishers, Auckland, 2017. 15x21cm, 287 pages, colour and monochrome photos. The volume covers many allegedly haunted locations, urban legends and paranormal mythology from all over New Zealand. The author is the founder and leader of the paranormal group Haunted Auckland. This is a good reference book if you're touring paranormal sites in New Zealand, including dwellings, public buildings and outdoor locations. The author has visited most or all of the sites covered and gives personal accounts of many, as well as general and historical information. Some of the sites have been investigated extensively by Haunted Auckland, and these accounts are included, making this a useful guide for how to go about paranormal investigation. The book was released in June, 2017 and is available in bookshops in New Zealand. Contact Haunted Auckland for more information. |
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Dunedin is a Ghost Town - Confessions of New Zealand's Original Ghost Guide
by Andrew Smith, Pub. Self / Hair-Raiser Tours, Dunedin NZ, 2019.
Paperback, 15cm x 21cm, 75 pages. Andrew Smith established Hair Raiser Tours in 1999 in Dunedin - purportedly New Zealand's most haunted city. This is the story of Dunedin's ghostly history and Andrew's experiences runing his ghost tours in the city over twenty years. Available by order from Hair Raiser Tours and The Museum of Natural Mystery, Dunedin. |
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Talking to Shadows -
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Voices in the Walls - Living the paranormal in New ZealandBy Mark Wallbank, independently published in 2015
The first addition to this page in for a long time - this 387 page paperback by lifelong paranormal enthusiast and founder of the Haunted Auckland team, Mark Wallbank, is packed with information of interest to all paranormal fans. There is a range of reports from HA investigations of historic sites around NZ, discussion of paranormal theories, helpful advice for new investigators (and seasoned ones), and engaging personal background stories from the author and other members of the HA team.
'Voices in the Walls' is available in print from Haunted Auckland. You can also buy a Kindle version from Amazon. |
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Unexplained New Zealand - Ghosts, UFOs & Mysterious Creatures
by Julie Miller & Grant Osborn. Reed Publishing NZ Ltd, 2007.
Useful reference to many paranormal locations in NZ, arranged geographically. Also good sections on UFOs and cryptozoology. Very readable. Appendix on ghost hunting techniques and equipment.
Builds on the research presented in Ghost Hunt (below).
Available in bookshops. 239 pages, softcover. Black & white illustrations.
Useful reference to many paranormal locations in NZ, arranged geographically. Also good sections on UFOs and cryptozoology. Very readable. Appendix on ghost hunting techniques and equipment.
Builds on the research presented in Ghost Hunt (below).
Available in bookshops. 239 pages, softcover. Black & white illustrations.
Ghost Hunt - True New Zealand Ghost Stories
by Julie Miller & Grant Osborn. Reed Publishing NZ Ltd/TVNZ, 2005.
Whatever you think of the TVNZ series that this book relates to, the research and historical background on each of the ten investigation sites makes it a valuable reference source.
Available in bookshops. 171 pages, softcover. Colour + B&W illustrations.
Whatever you think of the TVNZ series that this book relates to, the research and historical background on each of the ten investigation sites makes it a valuable reference source.
Available in bookshops. 171 pages, softcover. Colour + B&W illustrations.
Oddzone
Paranormal phenomena, alien abductions, animal mysteries, psychics and mediums and other weird kiwi stuff. by Vicki Hyde. New Holland Publishers NZ Ltd, 2006.
Vicki Hyde is the former Chair Entity of New Zealand Skeptics. This book provides an ideal balance to the likes of Unexplained NZ and Ghost Hunt (above) as it covers much of the same territory from a different perspective. Essential reading for anyone interested in the investigating the paranormal in this country.
Available in bookshops. 175 pages, softcover. B&W illustrations.
Vicki Hyde is the former Chair Entity of New Zealand Skeptics. This book provides an ideal balance to the likes of Unexplained NZ and Ghost Hunt (above) as it covers much of the same territory from a different perspective. Essential reading for anyone interested in the investigating the paranormal in this country.
Available in bookshops. 175 pages, softcover. B&W illustrations.
Where No Birds Sing - Tales of the Supernatural in Aotearoa
by Grant Shanks, with Tahu Potiki. Shoal Bay Press Ltd, 1998.
This is a must read! A collection of accounts of paranormal experiences from a wide range of New Zealanders, told as much as possible in each person's individual voice. Tahu Potiki provides the vital Maori perspective.
175 pages, softcover. Out of print. Comes up on TradeMe quite often.
This is a must read! A collection of accounts of paranormal experiences from a wide range of New Zealanders, told as much as possible in each person's individual voice. Tahu Potiki provides the vital Maori perspective.
175 pages, softcover. Out of print. Comes up on TradeMe quite often.
When the Wind Calls Your Name - Tales of the Supernatural in Aotearoa
by Grant Shanks & Tahu Potiki. Shoal Bay Press Ltd, 1999.
The follow-up to Where No Birds Sing, so consider it Volume II. Also a must. These account make one aware of the uniqueness of the paranormal in NZ, with an emphasis on outdoor locations (we don't have as many old buildings as some other countries) and Maori issues such as tapu places and objects.
152 pages, softcover. Out of print. Also comes up on TradeMe quite often.
The follow-up to Where No Birds Sing, so consider it Volume II. Also a must. These account make one aware of the uniqueness of the paranormal in NZ, with an emphasis on outdoor locations (we don't have as many old buildings as some other countries) and Maori issues such as tapu places and objects.
152 pages, softcover. Out of print. Also comes up on TradeMe quite often.
New Zealand Mysteries
By Nicola McCloy. Whitcoulls, 2005.
This is a totally different book to the 'New Zealand Mysteries' by Robyn Gosset, shown below. It has a range of magazine-style chapters on paranormal & historical mysteries, including good entries on Larnach Castle, NZ's haunted theatres and the Brooklyn Dodger.
112 pages, softcover. Heavily illustrated.
This is a totally different book to the 'New Zealand Mysteries' by Robyn Gosset, shown below. It has a range of magazine-style chapters on paranormal & historical mysteries, including good entries on Larnach Castle, NZ's haunted theatres and the Brooklyn Dodger.
112 pages, softcover. Heavily illustrated.
The New Zealand Ghost Book
by Robyn Jenkin. AH & AW Reed Ltd, Wellington, 1978.
Fast becoming a collectors' item. Robyn Jenkin put this together long before
the current wave of interest in the paranormal. This is a brilliantly researched collection of accounts, covering a range of types of paranormal experiences.
164 pages, hardcover. Black & white illustrations. Out of print.
Comes up on TradeMe occasionally. Also try second hand bookstores.
Fast becoming a collectors' item. Robyn Jenkin put this together long before
the current wave of interest in the paranormal. This is a brilliantly researched collection of accounts, covering a range of types of paranormal experiences.
164 pages, hardcover. Black & white illustrations. Out of print.
Comes up on TradeMe occasionally. Also try second hand bookstores.
New Zealand Mysteries
by Robyn Gosset. 1st edition: AH & AW Reed Ltd, Wellington, 1970.
This edition: Bush Press Communications Ltd, Auckland, 1996
1st ed. was published under author's name of Robyn Jenkin, see The NZ Ghost Book, above. 1996 ed. (updated). Covers a range of mysterious stories, cryptozoology, UFOs, ghost towns etc.
208 pages, softcover. Black & white illustrations. Out of print.
This edition: Bush Press Communications Ltd, Auckland, 1996
1st ed. was published under author's name of Robyn Jenkin, see The NZ Ghost Book, above. 1996 ed. (updated). Covers a range of mysterious stories, cryptozoology, UFOs, ghost towns etc.
208 pages, softcover. Black & white illustrations. Out of print.
Strangers In Our Skies - UFOs Over New Zealand
by Mervyn Dykes. INL Print Ltd, Hutt Valley, 1981.
Becoming hard to find. NZ holds a high place in the world when it comes to UFO sightings, beginning with the Great Airship Scare of 1909, perhaps the world's first significant modern UFO case. Also a chapter on the Kaikoura sightings of 1978.
192 pages, softcover. Black & white illustrations. Out of print.
Becoming hard to find. NZ holds a high place in the world when it comes to UFO sightings, beginning with the Great Airship Scare of 1909, perhaps the world's first significant modern UFO case. Also a chapter on the Kaikoura sightings of 1978.
192 pages, softcover. Black & white illustrations. Out of print.
Fairy folk tales of the maori
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by James Cowan. Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd, 1930
Long out of print, now a collectors item but still available here and there. The 'Patu-paiarehe' are the the fairy folk of New Zealand Maori; the lost tribe, and they go by other names. New Zealand is a deeply spiritual land, and this book tells of its supernatural elements and mythology from long before the arrival of Europeans, but the tradition and belief is still very much alive, making this book essential reading if you're interested in appreciating in the paranormal in Aoteaoroa New Zealand. |
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Tapu and other tales of old New Zealand
by D.W.O. Fagan. AH & AW Reed, Wellington, 1952.
Difficult to find these days. Not strictly paranormal, but many of these true accounts dating from the 19th century have a supernatural theme. "The Accursed Lake" and some of the other stories are spine chilling.
96 pages, hardcover. Black & white illustrations. Out of print.
Difficult to find these days. Not strictly paranormal, but many of these true accounts dating from the 19th century have a supernatural theme. "The Accursed Lake" and some of the other stories are spine chilling.
96 pages, hardcover. Black & white illustrations. Out of print.
