Hair Raiser Tours

Hair Raiser Tours Established in 1999, Hair Raiser Tours is New Zealand’s original ghost tour experience. This is New Zealand's original, authentic ghost tour company.

Founded by Andrew Smith, it explores haunted heritage, true crime, and cemeteries through immersive tours and murder mystery events. We provide first class historical entertainment tours, murder mystery parties, gift vouchers & more.

For a number of years now, we’ve been proud to donate a tour package, alongside our friends at Catacombs, to the local C...
05/09/2026

For a number of years now, we’ve been proud to donate a tour package, alongside our friends at Catacombs, to the local Cancer Society Ball.
This year, I finally got the chance to make an appearance and see first-hand the incredible generosity of everyone bidding on the fantastic selection of goods and services donated by local businesses.
It was wonderful to see the community come together to support such an important cause. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed, donated, bid and helped make the evening such a success.
I look forward to welcoming the lucky winners on tour soon!

The last night of winter has passed, and with temperatures plummeting to almost zero, there was perhaps no more appropri...
01/09/2026

The last night of winter has passed, and with temperatures plummeting to almost zero, there was perhaps no more appropriate way to finish the season than with a Shiver Street Tour.
The tour has proved particularly popular with those who enjoy the darker side of Dunedin — where true crime, history and the paranormal meet.
To everyone who has joined me over the last month or so, a very special thank you. There really is no better way to experience the city of Dunedin than on foot. It’s a truly sensory experience — the cold night air, the old streets beneath your feet, the stories of those who came before, and perhaps the occasional unexplained encounter along the way.
I look forward to seeing you again throughout the spring and summer months, when the days grow longer and, somewhere in the distance, the lantern flickers once more.

31/08/2026

Murder Mystery season is upon us!
With only a handful of months to go before Christmas, now is the time to secure your booking before our Christmas dates fill up.
Whether it’s a work function, Christmas party, private celebration or simply an excuse to gather your friends for a night of mystery and murder, don’t leave it until the last minute.
So… will you be the ghost at this year’s party?

Dunedin’s First Cemetery 🪦The first burial took place on Arthur Street in 1846, and it is thought that more than 80 earl...
27/08/2026

Dunedin’s First Cemetery 🪦
The first burial took place on Arthur Street in 1846, and it is thought that more than 80 early settlers were laid to rest here.
Although, as it turned out… not for long.
As Dunedin’s population grew, the steep slopes and limited space made this a poor choice for a cemetery. General neglect soon turned the site into an embarrassing eyesore — hardly what the early settlers had envisaged for their improvement movement.
But the greatest concern wasn’t simply the lack of space.
Poor drainage raised serious health concerns, including the risk of contamination affecting neighbouring residents.
On 13 March 1858, the decision was made to close the cemetery.
What followed caused considerable debate and upset within the Dunedin community. Eventually, it was agreed that the cemetery would close permanently — and that the bodies buried there would be removed.
Imagine being told that the final resting place of someone you loved was about to be disturbed and moved elsewhere. It must have been an incredibly unsettling and traumatic experience.
This location today inspired my children’s book, I Am a Ghost: Keep an eye out for him… today, his former cemetery site is home to a children’s playground. 👻

The Old Port Chalmers Cemetery on a misty morning stroll. 📷 Jack the Clicker
21/08/2026

The Old Port Chalmers Cemetery on a misty morning stroll. 📷 Jack the Clicker

A flashback to the early days of Hair Raiser Tours.Here I am pictured outside the site of Dunedin’s very first hospital ...
12/08/2026

A flashback to the early days of Hair Raiser Tours.
Here I am pictured outside the site of Dunedin’s very first hospital (1851- 1866) discussing the history of the site and the friendly ghost said to frequent the area.
This is probably the only photograph — and the only time — I ever performed a tour without my hat! Although I have to admit, I’m rather pleased to see there’s not a silver hair on my head in this particular picture.
The reason for the missing hat? It was snatched off my head by a student. I believe it was either a toga party night, or something along those lines. There was a quick snatch-and-run — only for the hat to mysteriously find its way back to my office the following day!
The group pictured here was from Toyota Dunedin, and I’m guessing this would have been around 2002.
Over 25 years of Hair Raiser Tours, and there are certainly a few stories behind the photographs.

Address

First Floor 110 Moray Place
Dunedin
9016

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 10pm
Tuesday 9am - 10pm
Wednesday 9am - 10pm
Thursday 9am - 10pm
Friday 9am - 10pm
Saturday 9am - 10pm
Sunday 9am - 10pm

Telephone

+64800428683

Website

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