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.
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
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If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”
We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?
Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.
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41.6% Yes
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31.8% Maybe?
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26.6% No
Police urge caution on Southland beaches
As the weather warms up and Southlanders begin flocking to the beach, Police are reminding people of an important fact – beaches are roads and need to be treated as such.
Senior Sergeant Scott MacKenzie, Southland Area Road Policing Manager, says while it is legal to drive on Oreti Beach, you still need to adhere to the road rules.
“The beach has a speed limit of 30k/h – there is no excuse to be over this limit.
The days are getting warmer and with school holidays it can be expected that a lot of families with small children and animals will be heading to the beach to enjoy the sun."
“Anyone driving on the beach needs to be mindful of this, and stay focused on your surroundings,” he says.
The risks of injury or worse, to yourself or others, are just the same as on traditional roads.
Senior Sergeant MacKenzie also reminds beach goers that any form of antisocial road-user behaviour will not be tolerated.
“Some people seem to think that road rules don’t apply to you when on the beach – this is not the case.
Antisocial driving behaviour is unacceptable, on and off the beach, and we encourage the community to report the driving behaviour immediately."
“It is best to make a report while the incident is occurring to allow our staff the opportunity to respond immediately and hopefully disrupt any offenders in the act.
Please take note of as much detail as possible, such as registration number of the vehicle, any identifying features of the vehicle and its driver, or even take a video of the driving behaviour if safe to do so,” he says.
You can report information to us by calling 111 if it is happening now, or through 105 for non-emergencies.
Alternatively, you can report information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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