Hair Raiser Tours

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. 👻

21/08/2026

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

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.

31/07/2026

Experience New Zealand’s original. Curly Jack’s Underbelly Crime Walk. Where secrets refuse to remain buried.

25/07/2026

The Hair Raiser Ghost Walk-New Zealand’s original ghost tour experience since 1999. Book your experience now-https://www.hairraisertours.com/hair-raiser-ghost-walk
Expect the unexpected

Explore Dunedin's original ghost tours, true-crime tours, cemetery tours and murder mystery parties. Hair Raiser Tours has been creating spine—tingling experiences since 1999.