Hawksbury, New Zealand facts for kids
Hawksbury, also known as Cherry Farm, is a small area in New Zealand. It's located right next to State Highway 1. You can find it between the cities of Dunedin and Waikouaiti. This area has both homes and some businesses.
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What's in a Name?
Hawksbury has a few different names, and each one tells a bit of its history!
Cherry Farm Name
For a long time, this area was known as Cherry Farm. This name came from the Cherry Farm Psychiatric Hospital, which used to be here. Even today, many people in the Otago region still call it Cherry Farm.
Hawksbury Name
The name Hawksbury (sometimes spelled Hawkesbury) was an older English name for the nearby settlement of Waikouaiti. This name is still used for the beautiful Hawksbury Lagoon and some local businesses. The people who developed Hawksbury Village likely changed the name from Cherry Farm. They wanted to create a fresh start and move away from the old hospital's image.
Hawksbury Community Living Trust
Even though the hospital is gone, the area's connection to mental health care continues. The Hawksbury Community Living Trust was started in 1992. It helps former hospital patients find new homes and support in the community. This trust has since opened many homes in Dunedin and Christchurch.
Evansdale Connection
Sometimes, people mistakenly call Hawksbury "Evansdale." This is because of the big signs for the Evansdale Cheese factory. This factory moved to Hawksbury from Evansdale in the 1990s.
Matanaka Farm History
Near Hawksbury is Matanaka Farm. This farm has New Zealand's oldest surviving farm buildings. It was first settled in 1840 by a pioneer whaler named Johnny Jones. The original Cherry Farm was actually named after Captain Cherry, who was the master of one of Jones's ships.
Hawksbury Village Today
Hawksbury Village is now a private residential area. It has changed a lot since its hospital days.
The Former Hospital
The Cherry Farm Hospital was a special hospital for mental health care. It opened in 1952 to serve the Dunedin area. Patients from an older, fortress-like hospital called Seacliff Mental Hospital moved here. Cherry Farm Hospital was designed to feel like a village, which was a big change from older, harsher hospitals.
Hospital Closure and New Beginnings
The hospital closed in 1992. By then, the number of patients had become much smaller. Patients moved to other hospitals or to supported homes in the community. This closure was part of a national plan to help people live more independently.
Life in the Village
Today, Hawksbury Village is managed by a board of directors. Many modern homes have been built here for local families. Some of the larger old hospital buildings, called "Villas," have also been turned into homes.
Village Amenities
Hawksbury Village has several useful facilities for its residents:
- The Hawksbury Christian Fellowship Church.
- The Moana Gow Pool, a heated 20-meter pool. It offers swimming lessons and other activities.
- The Evansdale Cheese Factory.
- Matanaka Meats.
A new bus shelter was recently built for children who use the school bus. This shelter also has a map of Hawksbury Village. It helps visitors find their way around and locate all the amenities.
Notable People
- Winifred Annie Valentine, an important educationalist.
