Things that bump in the night at the Waiuku Museum

Things go bump in the night, and Mark Wallbank wants to know why.

On March 14, Wallbank and his team, Paranormal New Zealand, will host the Night of Paranormal Investigations at the Waiuku Museum, giving people a chance to experience what a real paranormal investigation looks like.

Paranormal New Zealand research unexplained phenomena using a range of equipment and techniques. Their primary purpose is to experience unexplained phenomena first-hand and document them. They do this to understand them better and to help dispel any misconceptions.

“The team has a great mix of beliefs, skills, qualifications, and differing levels of knowledge and experience within the paranormal. We’re all learning from each other and sharing approaches, thoughts, and ideas that, as individuals, we might not have considered previously.

“Our goal isn’t to prove ghosts exist — it’s to document the stories, research the history, and see if we can understand what people are experiencing,” Wallbank says.

Their job involves researching the history of a place and interviewing eyewitnesses. If a case warrants further investigation, the team arranges overnight stays and conducts further investigations using camera and audio equipment. They also conduct quiet observation sessions in which the team sits and silently documents any unusual activity.

Afterwards, they review their findings, and in most cases, the paranormal turns out to be quite ordinary. However,r occasionally they do find something they cannot explain.

“Over the years, there have been a few moments during investigations that were definitely strange. We’ve captured unusual sounds in audio recordings that weren’t heard during the investigation, and there have been occasions when objects appeared to move or fall when no one was near them.

“There have also been moments where objects appeared to move, or environmental changes occurred unexpectedly. One example involved a torch that appeared to be ‘thrown’ down a staircase during an overnight investigation, when no one else was in the area.

“Numerous times we’ve heard clear-as-day footsteps, coming down the stairs or walking along corridors. We’ve had some very interesting moments using trigger objects and while recording communication sessions.

“But even after doing this for many years, I still try to stay very grounded about it. Just because something is unexplained doesn’t automatically mean it’s paranormal — it just means we don’t yet have an explanation,” Wallbank said.

The Waiuku Museum has always been interesting, with some people reporting a presence in the same room.

While at the museum, visitors can try some of the group’s instruments and participate in activities to better understand how paranormal investigations are conducted.

A museum is also the perfect place to test recent theories like spirit attachments; the idea that a ghost can attach itself to a personal belonging they had in life.

Jane Thorne, a volunteer curator at the museum, says Paranormal New Zealand contacted them in May 2020 to conduct research and investigate paranormal activity, and since then, the group has helped in other ways.

“They’ve raised money and awareness for the museum by hosting special events and invited the public to join them in their research.”

While she considers herself a realist and a believer in science, Thorne admits to keeping an open mind.

“I personally have been to every event held at the museum, and I’m open to the idea that there are some things which we can’t fully understand but do still possibly exist.”

The Night of Paranormal Investigations begins on March 14, 7 pm until midnight at the Waiuku Museum at 13 King Street, Waiuku.

Contact Paranormal New Zealand directly via Facebook message to request payment details and secure your space.