New future looms for a former asylum and its 'enchanted forest'
At the time it was the country’s worst fire, claiming the lives of 37 women locked in a psychiatric hospital.
Now all that remains of the former Seacliff Lunatic Asylum, about 30km north of Dunedin, are some stone remnants and a few smaller buildings in private ownership.
The Robert Lawson-designed building was the largest commissioned in the country when it opened in 1884, but was plagued by issues, including landslips, before the fatal fire on December 8, 1942.
A resulting inquiry determined the asylum, which later housed noted author Janet Frame, was well past its use by date, but it would remain open until 1973.
Part of that site now forms the Truby King Reserve, a recreation area of about 16 hectares.
The Dunedin City Council, which was given power over the land from the Department of Conservation in 1991, will discuss a management plan for the reserve on Tuesday.
An extensive report on the reserve noted the importance of the asylum’s history, which represented “the evolution of mental health care in New Zealand”.
Changing norms and methods of treatment coupled with the instability of the land under the institution led to its eventual closure, the report notes.
The site was named after Plunket pioneer Sir Frederic Truby King, with his recommendations including patients growing their own food grown in the substantial gardens.
The reserve’s “enchanted forest” has hundreds of specimen trees planted by King, a botany enthusiast.
The report noted many of the trees were unsafe, and an audit was required.
The reserve, which has stone remnants of the former asylum, also includes an historic cricket ground, tennis court and community orchard.
The council was advised to approve the new management plan, which will include a new car park, picnic and barbecue area, and new signage tracing the footprint of the historic building.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.3% Yes
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15% No
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2.7% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
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