Planning underway to demolish former psychiatric hospital

Work is going on behind the scenes to progress the demolition and remediation of the former Tokanui Psychiatric Hospital, south of Te Awamutu.

Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) is responsible for clearing the site, which is part of a Treaty settlement with Maniapoto. The property was included in a Deed of Settlement between Maniapoto and the Crown, signed late last year. Under the agreement, once LINZ have cleared the site, Maniapoto will be offered parts of the property in stages and will have up to two years to decide if they wish to purchase each part of the property. 

LINZ Project and Hazard Management Delivery Team Manager Matt Bradley says LINZ is working closely with Maniapoto to determine the demolition and remediation approach.

“After five years of keeping the site safe and secure, we’re excited to be turning our attention towards developing a plan to clear the 80-hectare site to offer to Maniapoto as part of its Treaty settlement.  

“As part of preliminary works, we recently decommissioned the old wastewater system and installed a new one for the residents in Tokanui Village. 

“Before further work can get underway, we’re carrying out additional investigations to inform the next steps to remove the large amount of infrastructure on the site. This includes 74 buildings, eight substations and a swimming pool.”

Mr Bradley says the demolition and remediation of the former psychiatric hospital will be the largest LINZ has undertaken in the Treaty Settlements Landbank portfolio.

Funding from the Budget 2021 has enabled LINZ to progress the demolition and remediation of the site. 

For more information see:
New wastewater system at Tokanui Village

Background information

The site is one of around 900 properties LINZ manages and maintains on behalf of the Crown in the Treaty Settlements Landbank portfolio. This includes former prisons, hospitals, schools and houses earmarked for Treaty settlements.  

LINZ took over management of the former psychiatric hospital in 2016 when the Treaty Settlements Landbank transferred to LINZ from the Ministry of Justice. 

The psychiatric hospital opened in 1912 and closed in 1998.