Ōtaki Children’s Health Camp, Historic children's health camp in Ōtaki Beach, New Zealand
The Ōtaki Children's Health Camp is a historical facility on the Kāpiti coast with multiple buildings arranged around a central rotunda structure. The complex includes residential quarters, medical rooms, classrooms, kitchens, and open spaces, all situated near the Pacific Ocean.
The facility was established in 1932 as New Zealand's first permanent health camp for children, initially operating 120 beds. After more than 80 years of service, the camp eventually closed.
The camp embodied an earlier approach to child welfare where medical care, learning, and recovery were integrated into daily routines. Visitors can observe how this philosophy shaped the layout and purpose of every structure on the grounds.
Access to the grounds is limited and requires advance permission from the Friends of the Ōtaki Rotunda charitable organisation. Visits are arranged as guided tours to explore the historic buildings and structures.
Two prominent rotunda buildings were relocated from another location to form the core of the camp when it was founded. These salvaged structures became the heart of the facility and reveal a resourceful approach to establishing the new site.
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