In 2012, a chilling phone call from the Otago Daily Times set off a ghostly media storm. Students at Cumberland College reported eerie sightings of a mysterious figure—was it the infamous Grey Lady? As a ghost tour operator, I had heard whispers of her before, but nothing prepared me for the frenzy that followed. From TV crews urging me to break into the college to security locking down the grounds, the legend took on a life of its own. But who was this spectral figure? And what tragic past tied her to the halls of Cumberland?

Nestled in the heart of Dunedin lies a hidden gem, the enigmatic Black Dog Alley, largely untouched by modern urban developments and graffiti art trends. Yet, behind this charming alleyway lies a spine-tingling history that dates back to the gold rush era of 1861–1865. Two vigilant butchers concocted a ghostly tale of a black dog to deter potential thieves from breaking into their shops at night. Anyone daring to venture into the alley after dark risked encountering the spectral black dog, a harbinger of misfortune or even death. This eerie legend, reminiscent of the black shuck or black hound from the motherlands, has captivated and chilled the souls of many.