New Zealand Mysteries

by Scott Bainbridge

New Zealand's history is peppered with mysterious tales of otherworldly beings, strange sightings, inexplicable disappearances and unusual crimes. While some of these stories have been handed down through generations, many of them hail from more recent times. The one thing they all have in common is that they have all endured despite repeated attempts to solve or explain them. In this book, Scott Bainbridge turns his investigative skills towards some of the best-known of these mysteries, like the ghosts of Wellington's St James Theatre, the sightings of large cats throughout Canterbury and the appearance of otherworldly lights over Kaikoura. He also looks into some less known but equally intriguing puzzles, including the disappearance of a British naval officer during the Cold War, the origins of unusual crop circles near Ngatea and the vanishing of everyone on board the MV Joyita. Bainbridge does not set out to solve these mysteries, but instead considers the evidence, while leaving readers to form their own opinions.

176 pages, Paperback

Published June 9, 2020

About the author

High School education at Te Awamutu College.

NZ true crimes writer & investigator.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bloody interesting book but a few logical errors

[Lila Wyatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it to be very interesting however lacked some sense in certain parts.

[Joe Nelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the outset, the author is clear about the book’s intent: this is not an attempt to definitively solve New Zealand’s enduring mysteries, and a degree of speculation is openly acknowledged. That honesty sets expectations well and allows the book to be judged on what it aims to be, rather than what it is not.
The selection of cases is thoughtful and varied, spanning a wide range of subjects and time periods. This variety keeps the reading experience fresh and engaging, and ensures there is something here for most readers interested in New Zealand’s unexplained or unusual stories. The chapters are generally concise, making the book easy to dip into, while still doing a solid job of holding attention.
Research depth varies from case to case. In some instances it feels relatively light, but it is generally sufficient for the book’s purpose and pacing. Importantly, the narrative never becomes bogged down in excessive detail or dense investigation, which will appeal to readers looking for an accessible overview rather than a forensic deep dive.
Overall, this is an engaging and enjoyable read that succeeds in presenting a broad range of topical New Zealand mysteries without overreaching. While it doesn’t apply the microscopic investigative lens that may appeal to more detail-driven readers, it delivers exactly what it promises. A strong 4 to 5 out of 5 stars for interest, scope, and readability.

[Cary L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is an expert on historical true crimes in New Zealand, and in this book he turns his attention to a broader range of historical mysteries in that country, from who were the first people to discover New Zealand, to the sightings of large cats on the South Island, to strange crop circles on the North Island. He also uses his investigative skills on some long unsolved crimes, such as disappearance of a British naval officer in New Zealand and the killer in Auckland dubbed the "Nelson Street Ripper."

This written in the author's usual well-researched and clearly told style. Highly recommended to all interested in finding out more about strange happenings in New Zealand.

[Michael Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reasonably good refresh of various classic NZ mysteries. Best when dealing with crimes or missing person cases, which are author Scott Bainbridge's usual topics.