Seaview Asylum

Founded in 1872 by the provincial government, John Downey was promoted to Superintendent in 1904, and his wife served as matron.[3] In the same year, Dr Duncan MacGregor, Inspector-General of Hospitals and Asylums, authorised the villa hospital pattern of development at Seaview Hospital.[6] Three units were closed in the 1990s, as well as the nursing school in 1992. By 2002, the hospital board sold the asylum to a property developer.

In 1955, Seaview peaked with 549 patients.[7] By 1996, there were 100, and when the facility closed in 2009, it was down to 22.[2]

Since the facility has been closed it has been used on numerous occasions by the New Zealand Defence Force to stage urban warfare, search and rescue and public disorder exercises.

In keeping with other asylums across the country, such as Seacliff, Sunnyside, Cherry Farm and Avondale, names in the past suggested a rural setting or holiday resort, and served to mask the nature of some patient’s experience.[8]

Located on a government reserve, the land was terraced and consisted of approximately 150 acres (61 ha). The major buildings included dormitories, single rooms, dining rooms, and a padded cell. The Hokitika Gaol, containing 30 cells, was located on a terrace at Seaview.[9] The Seaview Lighthouse, a Category II registered Historic Place erected in 1879, was once scheduled for demolition, but it found new leases of life as an observation tower for hospital and as a coast watch station during World War Il.[10][11] The lighthouse is also known as the Hokitika Lighthouse was restored in 2002 by Heritage Hokitika.

The land is now sparsely populated and many of the buildings are falling into disrepair, the swimming pool and tennis courts are abandoned but still retain key features such as the nets and diving boards. The through road, although unmaintained, is still passable from one end. The other end has been shut off as some of the land is being cleared.