Round the clock security at old psychiatric hospital
A former psychiatric hospital has cost $1.24 million in security over the past four years and might not be demolished for another 15.
The derelict Tokanui Hospital, south of Te Awamutu, opened in 1912 and closed in 1998.
Nowadays, a security guard is stationed at the site around the clock because none of the buildings have been demolished.
According to online reports, thieves target the buildings to take valuable items and there are health hazards, namely asbestos.
The site was land banked by the Office for Treaty Settlements after its closure, and Toitu¯ Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has been responsible for it since 2016.
Since July that year, the department has spent $1.24 million on security at the site, LINZ land and property manager Matt Bradley said.
‘‘Planning to demolish the buildings is under way.
‘‘We are working with Maniapoto and Te Arawhiti to determine the extent and approach for the works.’’
Tokanui Hospital was one of New Zealand’s largest psychiatric institutions by the 1960s, Te Ara Encyclopaedia of New Zealand says.
In 2016, a memorial to 457 former psychiatric patients buried in unmarked graves at the Tokanui Cemetery was unveiled.
The site was part of 1194 hectares of Ma¯ori land taken under the Public Works Act in 1910 for the Tokanui Hospital, Maniapoto Ma¯ori Trust Board chairman Keith Ikin said.
‘‘This was by far the largest public works taking in the Maniapoto rohe and was strongly opposed by Maniapoto.
‘‘The Crown has acknowledged that acquisition of the land was a Treaty breach,’’ Ikin said.
This settlement was unique as it was the first to require the Crown to remediate a property before it was made available for purchase.
He said a process would be triggered in five tranches as site remediation works were completed to get the land back to a rural use standard.
‘‘Maniapoto understand site remediation could take over 15 years to complete. Maniapoto [through the Maniapoto Ma¯ori Trust Board and Mana Whenua] have been engaging with LINZ over the proposed demolition and remediation works.’’
He said the Tokanui area is of great cultural significance to Maniapoto. ‘‘The Crown’s compulsory acquisition of the site caused Maniapoto much hurt, including the loss of a tu¯ rangawaewae, the destruction of wa¯ hi tapu including ancestral burial sites, and the loss of resources and opportunities for economic development.’’
No decisions had been made regarding the future use of the site, he said.