15 Haunted Places In New Zealand 2025 That’ll Give You Shivers
New Zealand may be famous for the blue lapping waves, the lush green foliage, and the delicious cuisine, but another exciting thing about this country is its collection of spooky places. From hospitals to schools, and hotels to castles, all kinds of eerie sites are strewn across the country. Take a look at the top haunted places in New Zealand before you plan your trip here!
List Of 15 Haunted Places In New Zealand (Updated 2025)
New Zealand is known for its jaw-dropping vistas, hidden waterfalls, and hiking trails through thick forests, but there’s no dearth of haunted places in New Zealand. Here’s a list for you.
1. Larnach Castle
Image Credit:Pseudopanax for Wikipedia
One of the spookiest places in New Zealand, the Larnach Castle is famous for being one of the few castles in the country. The story goes as follows, the castle’s ballroom was gifted by Larnach to his daughter, Katie on her 21st birthday. Unfortunately, she died young due to typhoid cancer. His first two wives also died while in this castle, and he himself committed suicide after learning of his son’s and his third wife’s affair. Later, the castle was also a mental hospital during the World Wars. While Katie is seen swirling in the ballroom, he too has been spotted roaming around the corridors. Instances of people being pushed, touched on the back, and other have also been reported.
- Location: 145 Camp Road, Larnachs Castle, Dunedin 9077, New Zealand
- Timings: 8:30 am–5 pm
Also Read: Things To Do In New Zealand
2. The Vulcan Hotel
Image Credit:John Lord for Wikimedia Commons
Once the most popular pub hotel in town, The Vulcan Hotel has a room 101 that is avoided by all today. It is said that a prostitute by the name The Rose was a regular here. One night she entered the hotel with a male client, and was found strangled to death the next day. Unnatural experiences like water boiling in the kettle when it is switched off, noises in the corridor, and male guests being held down or strangled have occurred here.
- Location: 500 Wattle St, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia
- Timings: Open 24 hours
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3. The Carlile House
Image Credit:Ewhite31 for Wikimedia Commons
The year 1912 saw a raging fire accident which took the lives of more than 40 boys. The Carlile House was an orphanage for boys, and ever since the fire, paranormal incidents have been observed. Children’s laughter is one of the common ones. This has become one of the famous Haunted places in Auckland that you should visit on your 2025 trip.
- Location: Grey Lynn, Auckland
- Timings: not appropriate
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4. Kingseat Hospital
Image Credit: Gavin Barnett for Wikimedia Commons
With a history of being one of the largest psychiatric hospital in the country, Kingseat Hospital saw a lot of deaths in its time. It is said that the death of staff member exceeded the number of patients, probably due to increased mental and emotional trauma. A lot of suicides were committed on these grounds. Sightings of a nurse, popularly called as the “Grey Lady” are seen in the corridors here.
- Location: 833 Kingseat Road, Kingseat 2580, New Zealand
- Timings: not open for tourist
5. Spirits Bay
One of the lesser spooky sites, but one that is definitely frequented by spirits is the Spirits Bay. People claim to have seen people walk along the beach and disappear at one particular spot. Legend says that this is the place for people to pass on to the afterlife.
- Location: northern end of the Aupōuri Peninsula
- Timings: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Related Post: Camping In New Zealand
6. Napier Prison
Image Credit: Pseudopana for Wikipedia
Not only was the Napier Prison a prison, but also an orphanage, and at one point of time, even a psychiatric hospital. With a history so weird, it is no surprise that this place has an eerie aura to it. It’s most famous and controversial convict was the mass murderer Roland Edwards, who is said to haunt this place.
- Location: 55 Coote Road, Bluff Hill, Napier 4110, New Zealand
- Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
7. Waitomo Caves Hotel
Image Credit: Pseudopana for Wikipedia
Built on the ancient land of the Maori, it is believed that the Maori Princess haunts this hotel. With a reputation of being the spookiest hotel in New Zealand, incidents of noises and screams, children’s laughter, and even bathtubs dripping blood have been reported.
A former staff member’s spirit is said to have been here from time to time too, arranging the guests’ shoes neatly.
- Location: Waitomo District, King Country above Waitomo Caves in New Zealand
- Timings: Open 24 hours
Related Post: Waitomo Glowworm Caves
8. Chateau Tongariro
Image Credit: Andreas König for Wikimedia Commons
Chateau Tongariro was a women’s asylum in the 1940s. It has been a site of murder, suicide and accidents, which makes it one of the eerie places in New Zealand. Curtains moving on their own, doors opening and closing are some incidents common here. It has also happened that “unwelcome” guests find their bags packed and ready to go in the morning.
- Location: State Highway 48, Mt Ruapehu 3951, New Zealand
- Timings: not open for tourist
9. Otira Tunnel
If you find a friendly man helping people in this tunnel, it may not actually be a man. While there is nothing too spooky about it, the story says that a Scottish man was killed during the construction of the tunnel. He apparently helps people as he himself struggles to find his way home.
- Location: Arthur’s Pass and Ōtira in the Southern Alps
- Timings: open 24 hours
Related Post: New Zealand Tourist Attractions
10. Riccarton Racecourse Hotel
Image Credit:Tama66For Pixabay
The licensee of this hotel, Mr. Donald Fraser was found murdered in this hotel in 1933. Unfortunately, the killer was not found, and it is said that Mr. Fraser still roams these corridors to find the actual killer. Everyone reported that the ghost of Mr Donald frazer walking the halls and also being seen. So consider this as the new zealand haunted places on top of your list on the next trip in 2025.
- Location: 118 Racecourse Road, Sockburn, Christchurch 8042, New Zealand
- Timings: open 24 hours
11. Camp Adair
Image Credit:John Stanton for Wikimedia Commons
Camp Adair is located near Auckland. It was a popular spot for school picnics. The story says that a group of children was killed by the teacher here and that the teacher can still be spotted roaming around these grounds. Apparently, if you peer into the windows, you can see the teacher lurking in the shadows. Isn’t it spooky to see a ghost and give an adrenaline rush?
- Location: 2487 Hunua Road, Hunua 2583, New Zealand
- Timings: 8:30 am–5 pm and closed on Saturday
Related Post: Churches In New Zealand
12. Jubilee Pavilion
Image Credit:ClemRutter for Wikimedia Commons
If you are in the country for too long, try catching a couple of games here. Believed to be a homeless man who enjoyed the weekly games here, his spirit is still seen occupying the same seat during the games. Not eerie, but enough to give you chills, he is said actually to be a very soft and friendly spirit, making it a abandoned places in new Zealand of 2025.
- Location: Marton Park near Whanganui
- Timings: open 24 hours
13. Lake Alice Hospital
Image Credit: Tama66 for Pixabay
Lake Alice Hospital has been a mental asylum for quite some time now. With a violent history in these corridors, the staff here today also claims to have been haunted by former patients. Incidents where people have been pushed or touched have been reported here. Due to these type of stories, it is marked as a one of the haunted places in nz.
- Location: Lake Alice, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand
- Timings: not open for tourist
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14. Erskine College
Erskine College, a former Catholic girls’ boarding school in Island Bay, Wellington, New Zealand, is known for its alleged haunted history and has been featured in Peter Jackson’s film “The Frighteners”. Apparitions, screams, movements and more, Erskine College is a creepy place to visit. Not much is known about the story, but it would be interesting to visit it and know more!
- Location: Due West, South Carolina
- Timings: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
15. St. James Theatre
Out of all the people who have performed here, some just like to come back every now and then. For instance, the boys’ choir and wailing women can be heard. But the interesting story of this site is that of the Russian performer Yuri. He fell down the stage to his death and today likes to turn on the lights of the theatre once it’s shut down.
- Location: 246 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036, United States
- Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM and closed on Sunday
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Conclusion
Skin crawling? This is just a start as you will find the dangerous yet spooky things in these ancient places. While in the country, if you are an adventure lover looking for something unique, weird, and spooky, consider this list and visit some of these haunted places. Make a trip to New Zealand with your friends, family or loved ones to make a forever memories yet eerie ones.
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Faqs
What are some of the most famous haunted places in New Zealand?
Some of the most famous haunted places in New Zealand are Larnach Castle in Dunedin, the Vulcan Hotel in St Bathans, Kingseat Psychiatric Hospital, and the St James Theatre in Wellington.
Are there any haunted hotels in New Zealand?
Yes, New Zealand has many hotels that claimed to be haunted like Waitomo Caves Hotel, the Riccarton Racecourse Hotel, and the Vulcan Hotel in St Bathans.
Are haunted places in New Zealand open to the public?
Yes, several places that are rumored to be haunted are open to the public. One can visit these places with the paranormal enthusiasts.
Can I visit haunted places in New Zealand at night?
Yes, you can visit some of the haunted places in New Zealand at night including Cape Rēinga, the Victoria Theatre in Devonport, and Riccarton House.
Are there any organized ghost tours in New Zealand?
Yes, there are many organized ghost tours available in New Zealand. These tours will focus on the places with notable murders, suicides, and hangings.
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