Not-so-typical Kiwi bloke talks to the dead

JOHN HAWKINS/142205

DEAD RIGHT: Kelvin Cruickshank at the Kelvin Hotel in Invercargill yesterday. The psychic was in town to promote his new book and to appear at the Civic Theatre.

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He's a typical Kiwi bloke.

Loves his fishing, loves his family, loves a laugh and loves to speak to dead people ... well, maybe the last bit isn't so typical.

But New Zealand psychic Kelvin Cruickshank makes it seem all pretty normal.

In Southland yesterday to promote his new book and to appear at the Civic Theatre in Invercargill last night, the down-to-earth, tall, good-looking blonde is open and casual when it comes to who he is and what he does.

Except when asked the question on every typical Kiwi bloke's lips about whether being a psychic has ever helped get him dates.

"No, I don't abuse my gift," he said with a grin.

However, it's obvious being honest has won Cruickshank a lot of hearts.

His approach on the award-winning television series Sensing Murder has brought him international fame.

That's what it is too, he defends.

"It's Sensing Murder, not Solving Murder.

"I would be in a bit of trouble if it was Solving Murder."

Cruickshank sees his role on the show as helping families find some closure to their loved one's tragic ending.

He said if he was able to find evidence to assist police in solving a crime, it was a bonus.

The series has taken him everywhere, including Southland most notably to explore the disappearance of Amber Lee Cruickshank at Kingston about 17 years ago.

When it comes to talking about sceptics, Cruickshank was diplomatic but said he would not be bullied into having to prove himself and simply states his work to date has already been self-proving.

While Sensing Murder has won him international fame and boosted his psychic profile, the realisation of it all still shocked this laid-back "Waikato boy".

- © Fairfax NZ News