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Karori Lunatic Asylum

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Coordinates: 41°17′05″S 174°44′30″E / 41.284682°S 174.741601°E / -41.284682; 174.741601
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Karori Lunatic Asylum
Map
Geography
LocationKarori, New Zealand
Coordinates41°17′05″S 174°44′30″E / 41.284682°S 174.741601°E / -41.284682; 174.741601
History
Opened1854
Closed1873
Links
ListsHospitals in New Zealand

Opened in 1854, Karori Lunatic Asylum was the psychiatric hospital for Wellington Province, the first of its kind in New Zealand. It was located in Karori, at that time a rural community,[1] about 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) from Wellington city.

Initially, the asylum followed the moral treatment approach with staff treating the patients humanely and keeping them occupied with chores.[1] In 1861–1862, the role of visiting medical officer passed from doctors Johnston to France, and they both wrote reports on the asylum. Johnston appreciated the efforts of the resident master and matron, Mr and Mrs Sutherland.[2] France, who visited twice a week, noted the six women patients sewed and washed clothes, while the four men tended the garden and prepared firewood. The patients were only restrained for their own safety, and the sole punishment was confinement. There were eight rooms between ten patients, and a resident assistant.[3]

However, funding from provincial authorities for accommodation, maintenance and staff did not keep up with the growing number of patients. In 1867, visitors to the asylum found 19 patients;[4] by November 1871, government inspector Buchanan found 23 in 13 rooms.[5] Both reports highlighted insufficient accommodation and staff for the number of patients. The visitors noticed dilapidated buildings, and they were divided on whether the Sutherlands were satisfactory as managers.[4] Buchanan noted there was no female assistant to help the matron with 11 women patients, and the Sutherlands had no therapeutic skills but were simply keeping the patients contained. He also recommended moving the asylum closer to the city.[5] In January 1872, the province accepted Buchanan's recommendation, a new asylum would be built in Wellington with views over the city and harbour.[6]

In 1872, the newly appointed assistant to matron, Miss McDonald, raised concerns about punitive treatment of patients by the Sutherlands.[7] This led to a provincial inquiry that concluded "... the patients have been treated with unnecessary violence ...", and criticised France for failing to notice the abuse.[8] The Sutherlands were replaced by the Seagers who reverted to moral treatment of the patients. Karori Lunatic Asylum closed in May 1873 after its patients were transferred to Mount View Lunatic Asylum on Adelaide Road, Wellington.[9]

The site of the former asylum was transferred to the Wellington Education Board. In 1875, Karori School moved to the site where it has remained; it was renamed Karori Normal School in 1968.[10]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b KHS 2011, pp. 300–302.
  2. ^ Johnston 1861.
  3. ^ France 1862.
  4. ^ a b WI 1867.
  5. ^ a b Buchanan 1871.
  6. ^ WI 1872a.
  7. ^ WI 1872b.
  8. ^ WI 1872c.
  9. ^ NZM 1873.
  10. ^ KHS 2011, pp. 113–114.

References

[edit]
  • Buchanan (16 November 1871). "The Lunatic Asylum at Karori". The Wellington Independent. Wellington. p. 2. Retrieved 29 January 2025 – via Papers Past.
  • France, C (9 May 1862). "Report on Lunatic Asylum, Karori". Council Papers. The Wellington Independent. Wellington. p. 2. Retrieved 27 January 2025 – via Papers Past.
  • Karori Historical Society (2011). Burch, Judith; Haynes, Jan (eds.). Karori and Its People. Wellington: Steele Roberts. ISBN 978-1-877577-29-1. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  • Johnston, Alexander (23 October 1861). "Reports Relating to the Lunatic Asylum at Karori". Council Papers. The Wellington Independent. Wellington. p. 2. Retrieved 28 January 2025 – via Papers Past.
  • Major, Margaret (2015). "Rebecca Parnell". Stockade. No. 47. Karori: Karori Historical Society. pp. 10–19.
  • "The Mount View Lunatic Asylum". The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]. Wellington: The Cyclopedia Company Limited. 1897. Retrieved 24 January 2025 – via New Zealand Electronic Text Collection.
  • "Removal of patients from Karori Lunatic Asylum to Adelaide Road". News of the Week. New Zealand Mail. 14 May 1867. p. 14. Retrieved 29 January 2025 – via Papers Past.
  • "Karori Lunatic Asylum". Local and General News. The Wellington Independent. Wellington. 14 May 1867. p. 3. Retrieved 28 January 2025 – via Papers Past.
  • "New Lunatic Asylum". Local and General News. The Wellington Independent. Wellington. 4 January 1872. p. 2. Retrieved 29 January 2025 – via Papers Past.
  • "Karori Lunatic Asylum Inquiry". The Wellington Independent. Wellington. 27 April 1872. p. 2. Retrieved 29 January 2025 – via Papers Past.
  • "Lunatic Asylum Inquiry". Provincial Council. The Wellington Independent. Wellington. 4 May 1872. p. 3. Retrieved 27 January 2025 – via Papers Past.


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