‘Haunted’ hospital for sale in New Zealand to brave buyer

A former hospital with a colourful past in Pahiatua, New Zealand has hit the market. 

First built in 1902, the building has been the heart of the local community for over 100 years.

“A couple of groups have come in with infrared cameras looking for ghosts,” owner Cathy Vaughan told OneRoof. 

“Big, burly men seem to be the most concerned. We had rugby teams come in, and they were nervous about ghosts,” she said. 

Teenagers have also proved susceptible – a group of young volleyball players were recently startled by a spooky flickering light during their game. 

Cathy first moved into the old hospital with her husband Andy eight years ago. During that time, they have hosted several community events at the site, from sporting events to medieval reenactments. 

Now, the property is back on the market for a creative buyer.

“Scale is the major draw card here when it comes to land area with three titles making up the impressive property,” says the listing by agent Patrick Baker from Property Brokers Ltd. 

Baker suggests it could be an accommodation business, a multigenerational home, a conference venue, a retreat, or a development site. 

“Catch the vision and use your imagination,” the agent says. 

Before it was converted into a private property, the hospital was a busy local hub. 

It went through a major expansion during World War II, at a time when the local community welcomed hundreds of Polish refugee children. 

Yet another expansion took place in 1960, before the hospital finally closed in 1998.

During their time at the property, the Vaughans worked hard to uncover stories from the hospital’s past.

“Some of the history we have gathered from guests who used to work here. One woman in her 90s told us she started in the laundry and worked her way up to being a cook,” Cathy said.  

The site comes with 30 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, 23 car parking spaces, and sits on over six acres of land. 

It is for sale by negotiation. No guide price has been named.