They should have records. You have the right to know why, if they do not.
Gender and age: boys
Capacity: In the period 1950 to 1956 the average roll was 18.
Controlling organisation: Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy New Zealand State licencing and/or monitoring, faith-based
From Heritage NZ page: " In 1917 the Sisters of Mercy (Wellington) Trust Board acquired the house for a boys' orphanage and hostel called St Thomas'. The Sisters later acquired land adjacent to the house for a farm which allowed them to become self- sufficient.
In 1958 the house became a Parish Convent. The Sisters built an addition at the back of the house, and converted the billiard room, located in a building behind the house, to a chapel.
In 1970 the house was sold to the Marist Brothers Trust Board, who used it as a training centre until 1982. The house was sold by the Marist Brothers in 1984. It has since been used as a private residence, and is being restored."
31 September 2020 Affidavit of Anita Ngaire Easton for Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children to the Abuse in Care Inquiry
Heritage New Zealand webpage on Balgownie: https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/4140/Listing
Information provided by Te Rōpū Tautoko (Catholic Church) to the Crown Response Unit on 24 May 2024
You must enable JavaScript to submit this form