Plans are underway for the development of the Kingseat Township, with residential properties accomodating up to 5000 residents and a town centre with cafes, businesses, and shops.

 

The now defunct Kingseat Psychiatric Hospital will also be subjected to new residential properties being built on the site, and the demolishing of some of the Hospital's buildings.

 

Kingseat psychiatric Hospital is a site that has been left almost untouched since its closure in 1999. Franklin is a quickly expanding area with towns such as; Pukekohe, Patamahoe, and Waiuku expanding with new residential areas over the last 10 years. With the increase of residents in the Franklin area the Auckland Council is thinking about expanding smaller towns like Kingseat.

 

The population of Kingseat sits at 669 residents as of 2006 but is expected to house over 2000 residents within the next 40 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 'Kingeat Village Plan' became operative on July 28th 2015, encompassing McRobbie Rd, Kingseat Rd, and the former Kingseat Hospital for developments. However, parts of the site are being protected due to their historical and cultural value, including the administration building, Villas one to eight, and a few significant trees. 

 

Former Kingseat student nurse, Danielle Farrell believes the buildings should stay, "Back in the day it was quite picturesque, it would be a shame if it was all knocked down."

 

Not all Kingseat residents share this view however, with many believing the site should be demolished altogether, that it is cursed, or that the buildings don't hold any historical or cultural signifigance worth remebering. A source who wishes to remain unnamed stated that, "the atmosphere of the place was just creepy."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kingseat Hospital has always had a reputation to uphold, a simple Google search of the site will bring up stories of ghosts, with many people witnessing "The Grey Nurse".

 

Kingseat psychiatric Hospital was officially opened in 1932 after Carrington Hospital had an overflow of patients, the grounds became home to; the mentally ill, severley disabled,and many more.

 

Throughout the years of operations until it closed in 1999, there were constant rumours of what happened within the walls of the Hospital.

 

Former Kingseat Nurse aid, Brownwyn Rogerson, who worked with long stay alcoholics, and severley disabled women from 1980-1981 stated that, "There were some things done that I didn't like such as high pressured cold showers if they defecated, but overall the patients got very good care."

 

Danielle Farrell also comments that, "Growing up in Franklin, Kingseat was seen as the 'looney bin', I was a bit apprehensive at first...it wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be.

 

The idea of Kingseat Hospital becoming a more residential area has been met with mostly positive responses from locals, some however, are skeptical about keeping the old buildings on site, one Franklin local said, "I do not think there is any value in an old mental asylum, and I wonder if former patients and families would want that either. I like the idea of it being turned into a University, something positive out of the negative, I for one, wouldn't want to live on the grounds."

 

Work on the Kingseat Village structure plan is yet to start, the grounds are still open to the public, The morgue, the swimming pool, and old derelict buildings still remain.

 

The public are still unsure about whether or not creating a township in Kingseat is a good idea or not, either way the history of Kingseat lives on in the memories of nurses, patients, and families.

 

 

By Mel Earley