Karitane

Karitane
Location map New Zealand transparent label=Karitane lat_dir=S | lat_deg=45 | lat_min=39 lon_dir=E | lon_deg=170 | lon_min=40 position=right width= 150 float=center caption=
Urban Area	Population	348 (2006 census [http://www.stats.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/1C9467CD-1363-499A-BB2B-0597B6F7A590/0/DunedinCity.xls] )
Territorial Authority	Name	Dunedin City Council
	Population	118 683 (2006 census [http://www.stats.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/1C9467CD-1363-499A-BB2B-0597B6F7A590/0/DunedinCity.xls] )
	Extent	Dunedin City includes the towns of Waikouaiti, and Karitane
Regional Council	Name	Otago Regional Council

The seaside settlement of Karitane is located within the limits of the city of Dunedin in New Zealand, 35 kilometres to the north of the city centre.

Set in rolling country near the mouth of the Waikouaiti River, the town is a popular holiday retreat for Dunedinites.

Close to the settlement is the site of Huriawa Pā, which was a major fortification in pre-European New Zealand set in a strong position on a rocky promontory above the coast.

Karitane, Plunket and Truby King

To many New Zealanders, the name "Karitane" is inextricably linked with pioneering paediatrician and psychiatrist Sir Truby King, founder of the Plunket Society. Karitane's name is echoed in many New Zealand child-related services and products:
* Plunket set up a string of neonatal care institutions known throughout the country as "Karitane Hospitals", starting here in Truby King's house, "Kingscliff"Nigel Benson, "Seacliff asylum's painful and haunting history" Otago Daily Times, Dunedin 27 January 2007]
* A type of infant formula, "Karicare", made by Nutricia is named after the town [ [http://www.nutriciababy.co.nz/main/aboutus/karicare.html Nutricia website] ]
* "Karitane Nurse" (historically) a type of nurse in New Zealand specialising in infant careFact|date=July 2007
* "Community Karitane", a type of community worker in New Zealand advising on parenting issues such as breastfeeding, nutrition, sleep and behaviour [ [http://www.careers.govt.nz/default.aspx?id0=103&id1=J80248 Career Services website] ]

Truby King also worked at nearby Seacliff Lunatic Asylum.

History

The site of the present settlement of Karitane includes that of the pre-European Māori kaik, or undefended village, and also that of the whaling station set up by Long, Wright and Richards in 1837. That was known as "Waikouaiti", but the name later became transferred to the present township of that name established by Johnny Jones as a farming settlement in 1840, on the north side of the estuary.

In 1838 Jones acquired the Karitane whaling station. After sending pioneers to start his farming settlement he sent a Wesleyan missionary to join them in May 1840, James Watkin, the first in the South Island. However Watkin set up his mission station at Karitane. He was living there with his wife and children in a purpose-built house by late 1842. In 1867 George O'Brien 1821-1888 painted a memorable view looking north from the Karitane waterfront, now in the Otago Settlers Museum, Dunedin.

References