In a unique and eerie initiative, New Zealand’s parliament offered a spine-chilling tour featuring Victorian-era costumes and tales of paranormal activity, capturing the attention of visitors keen on the spooky side of history. During one event, an unnerving moment unfolded when a veiled woman burst from an elevator, causing the gathered crowd to recoil. Notably, the guide, dressed in white, invited attendees to use the elevator, but no one dared.
The tales shared during these after-hours tours focus on real tragedies and haunting legends associated with parliament’s rich history, particularly within its gothic library. This library, built in the late 19th century and often feared by the night staff, has weathered fires, floods, and even an invasion of feral cats. The guides shared chilling stories, like the time librarians, in a desperate attempt to save books, climbed onto the roof during a savage storm in 1968, which tragically claimed 53 lives when a ferry sank.
As the visitors wandered through the ornate, dimly lit spaces, they were met with startling screams and spooky encounters designed to heighten the thrill. Emphasising the library’s haunted reputation, guides recounted tales of spectral librarians and legendary figures like William Larnach, a politician found dead by suicide amidst personal turmoil, whose ghost is said to linger in the halls.
Additionally, the tour explored bizarre urban legends, including hands inexplicably reaching from bookshelves and ghostly sounds in empty restrooms, highlighting the building’s longstanding mysteries. Many visitors expressed surprise at the revelations, with Holly Masters stating she had not anticipated such a deep history of death and intrigue within the political precinct.
This novel evening event, embraced by the visitors’ centre staff, exemplifies how New Zealand’s parliament is intertwining the fascinating elements of its past with modern tourism, offering a unique glimpse into both its history and purported hauntings. Ultimately, while consensus remains on the validity of the stories, the blend of fact and folklore enriches the understanding of New Zealand’s political centre, keeping its spectral side alive in the memories of those who dare to explore.