Ghostbusters off to flush out store's uninvited guests

Auckland Spirit Chasers members (from left) Peter Baker, Vicki Wedd, Mary Judd and Axl Scottt. Photo / Dean Purcell

A group of six Aucklanders are planning to investigate bumps in the night.

Auckland Spirit Chasers conduct fortnightly inquiries into paranormal behaviour and will tomorrow night descend on a Pukekohe second-hand store, which is having poltergeist problems.

Staff at Sista's Rock 13 have been hearing footsteps when no one is around, seeing doors open and close when there is no draught and items fall for no reason. They say they often "sense a presence".

Owner Carissa Wright-Curtis said she had always felt something different about the Queen St store.

"I am a sceptic and always try to explain away the things I see - like items just dropping off the shelves and heavy doors opening for me.

"I work a lot of nights and can just feel someone there with me. I feel it all the time and I am a sceptic - but there's definitely something here."

It was an old building and Mrs Wright-Curtis did not know its history but suspected a "lonely old spirit" could have arrived with some stock. Spirit Chasers founder Vicki Wedd said the group, who did not charge for their services, were approached by clients experiencing anything from unexplained footsteps, flickering lights, moving or levitating objects to strange animal behaviour, apparition and invisible physical assault.

Spirit chasers needed specialist equipment, including digital cameras, night-capable video cameras, voice recorders and a K2-meter which picked up electrical currents - and will go fully prepared to Pukekohe.

"So we try to connect [with the paranormal] through that, and ask them questions, like why they are there? If [owners] are scared or whatever, the medium can ask if they want their house cleansed and she'll have gear with her and go around the house ... with sage and water and bless the house."

Spirit Chasers, founded by Ms Wedd in 2011, includes mediums Mary Judd and Peter Baker, digital expert Axl Scott and investigators Adam Barker and Steve Prichard.