Taylah

Inside the team

Curiosity with
purpose.

TAY Operations Manager & Lead Investigator — Hide & Seek Paraquest THE LEAD INVESTIGATOR

Tay joined Hide & Seek Paraquest in April 2024 and has become an important part of the team as both Operations Manager and Lead Investigator.

Her interest in the paranormal was sparked after watching Ghost Hunters on Fox8 back in 2013.

These days, she describes herself rather perfectly:

“I enjoy long walks in the dark and trying to figure out what goes bump in the night.”

WHY SHE JOINED HSPQ

Tay had wanted to become part of the HSPQ team for years.

When she saw a Facebook advertisement looking for team members, she decided to take the opportunity.

Her verdict?

“Best decision ever!”

Since joining, she's found herself surrounded by people who share her passion for investigating the unknown.

HER FIRST CONFIRMED PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE

Tay's first confirmed paranormal experience happened at a former boys' home.

While investigating, she saw approximately five small, boy-shaped shadows surrounding a friend on the stairs.

She turned to her friend and said:

“I don't think you're alone there.”

The response?

“I know, I can feel them.”

It was an experience that left a lasting impression.

WHAT TAY ENJOYS

Tay is particularly interested in intelligent responses.

Whether it's knocking, footsteps, walking sounds or disembodied voices, she enjoys experiences where there appears to be some form of interaction.

For her, communication is one of the most fascinating parts of paranormal investigation.

HER MUST-HAVE EQUIPMENT

Interestingly, Tay's favourite piece of equipment is:

Herself.

She relies heavily on her senses and intuition, while also enjoying the Estes Method and experimenting with different pieces of paranormal equipment.

For Tay, technology is useful, but knowing how to interpret what you're experiencing is just as important.

THE REM POD RASPBERRY

One of Tay's strangest experiences happened while investigating with a REM Pod.

After repeatedly telling a spirit to stop playing with the equipment, the response appeared to be a very unexpected one:

The spirit blew a raspberry at her.

It's the sort of paranormal interaction that is difficult to forget.

Tay has experienced so many unexplained things over the years that when asked how many she has had, her answer is simple:

Too many.

KEEPING A SCEPTICAL MIND

Tay doesn't automatically believe everything she encounters.

If something has a simple explanation, she's sceptical of it.

Her approach is to keep an open mind until she has experienced something herself.

It's an important balance for an investigator — questioning what happens without completely closing yourself off to the possibility that something genuinely unexplained may occur.

THE EXPERIENCE THAT CHANGED HER VIEW

An experience at Bishops Palace changed the way Tay looked at paranormal communication.

During an Estes Method session, conversations appeared to be taking place in another language.

The experience opened her mind to the possibility that if spirits communicate, they may not necessarily communicate in English.

It encouraged Tay to think more broadly about how investigators approach communication with potential spirits.

GISBORNE COURTHOUSE

While Tay has investigated a number of locations, Gisborne Courthouse currently stands out as her favourite.

She also considers Bishops Palace one of her most memorable locations.

Both have provided experiences that have stayed with her.

WHAT TAY BRINGS TO HSPQ

Tay brings plenty of personality, experience and a wicked sense of humour to the team.

As a Lead Investigator and Operations Manager, she also brings leadership and the ability to help keep investigations moving while still making sure everyone has a great time.

THE HSPQ FAMILY

For Tay, one of the best parts of HSPQ isn't a particular piece of evidence or one specific paranormal experience.

It's the relationships she's built with the other team members.

Every person has brought something different into her life, and those connections have become one of the most important parts of being part of HSPQ.

HORROR & PARANORMAL

Tay is a fan of the Conjuring universe.

When it comes to paranormal television, 28 Days Haunted is one of her favourites.

Her dream investigation location is Waverly Hills Sanatorium.

And if she could investigate a historical figure, she'd choose Anne Boleyn.

IF TAY COULD HAVE A PARANORMAL ABILITY

Tay would choose:

Clairvoyance.

Being able to see what others cannot would certainly add another dimension to her investigations.

SOMETHING YOU MIGHT NOT EXPECT

Despite being a Lead Investigator, Tay admits that she doesn't particularly enjoy being front and centre or talking in front of people.

Leading investigations can therefore push her well outside her comfort zone.

But she does it anyway.

That's part of what makes her role with HSPQ so interesting.

WHY HIDE & SEEK PARAQUEST?

For Tay, HSPQ is about doing what she loves with an amazing group of people.

Even when an investigation produces minimal paranormal activity, she still believes the experience can be worthwhile.

Because at HSPQ, it's not always about getting the biggest piece of evidence.

Sometimes it's about the location.

Sometimes it's about the people.

Sometimes it's about the laughs.

And sometimes it's about simply having a bloody good time investigating somewhere dark.

“Keep an open mind, trust your senses, and always enjoy the adventure.”