Gender and age: Originally boys only. By 1977 was Mixed, 1965: 4-14; c. 1969: 5-11; 1974: 5-13; 1976: 3-13; 1977, 78, 79, 84, 86: 5-11.
Capacity: 1950: 76 people ; 1965: 48; c. 1969: 50; 1974: 55-60 beds; 1975: 76 people; 1976: 48; 1977, 78, 79: 60; 1979: 9.
Third-party provider to State, faith-based. Registered 2/3/1929
From National Library photo entry: "The two storied wing was built as St Mary's School which opened in 1849. This was built of localy quarried bluestone. St Mary's school closed in the late 19th century, and reopened in 1894 as St Joseph's Industrial School and Orphanage for boys under the care of the Sisters of Mercy. In 1923 a fire gutted the building leaving the walls standing. It was rebuilt and a three storied wing was added, both the old and the new buildings were faced with a plaster finish. It reopened in 1924 which was when this photograph was taken. What are possibly builders huts can be seen at the near left hand corner of the new wing. The building still stands today (2009). (Information from John Webster of Takapuna, and from Auckland-Waikato Historical Journal September 1989 page 4-5, and September 1992 page 40.)"
From list of Children's Homes in Anita Easton affidavit to Royal Commission: "1979: Mainly children from broken homes, solo mothers. Mental disturbance of a parent also leads to admittance."
From information provided by the Catholic Church: 1986 name changed from St Joseph' s to St Vincent's Family Home, Herne Bay.
directory of residential facilities for disturbed children in new zealand', Department of Social Welfare, 1979. https://natlib.govt.nz/records/40422924
https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22761810?search%5Bi%5D%5Bcentury%5D=1900&search%5Bi%5D%5Bis_catalog_record%5D=false&search%5Bi%5D%5Bsubject%5D=Orphanages&search%5Bpath%5D=items
31 September 2020 Affidavit of Anita Ngaire Easton for Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children to the Abuse in Care Inquiry
Christchurch Libraries Webpage on Family History - Hospitals, Orphanages and Charitable Aid [retrieved on 16 February 2024] https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/family-history/Hospitals-orphanages-charities/
Information provided by Te Rōpū Tautoko (Catholic Church) to the Crown Response Unit on 24 May 2024
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