Otaki health camp, 1940s
The dining room of the Otaki Health Camp in the 1940s
Alexander Turnbull Library
Evening Post Collection
Reference: 1/2-162598; F
Further information and copies of this image may be obtained from the Library through its 'Timeframes' website, http://timeframes.natlib.govt.nz
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
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TwitterOh what a horrible place the Otaki Health Camp was. I was born in Upper Hutt in 1948 and attended Silverstream School. When I was about 7 years old a woman from the dept. of health came to school ( she looked like the flying Nun). She told me I was too skinny and looked under nourished. A few weeks later I was put on a bus from Senio Road Trentham and sent to that rotten place in Otaki. I came to hate this place, was treated badly, was so homesick. every day we had to endure cod liver oil liquid, were disciplined, endured afternoon sleeps in that dormitory. I hated this place I ran away twice, only to be brought back again kicking and screaming!
If those in charge thought they did good then they were wrong. My mother was wrong to allow me to be taken away. To this day I still recount the most unpleasant times I had at this institution.
Now in early retirement and living in Perth, Western Australia I often reflect how cruel the "do goddess were" and that this place of evil still exists.
Shame on those who thought they knew best, shame on my Mother for going along with the "flying Nun".
Some may think this is a rant, but some who attended that 6 week hell-hole may also have similar views.
Still today, when I tell of my experience at Otaki Health Camp ( and I recall vividly) people are unbelieving.
I have much much more to reveal about what happened to me there.
Wayne Burley
Ravenswood. Perth WA 6208.
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