Hanmer Springs History

Maori on ara pounamu (greenstone trails) were the first to enjoy the thermal water, as a rest stop on the long journey to the West Coast.
The first known European discovery of the thermal area was in April 1859 by William Jones, a farm manager from Culverden, who was drawn to what appeared to be "a remarkable fog". The village was named after Thomas Hanmer a early settler.
Early deveoopment was hindered by inaccessibility, the first Ferry Bridge blew down in a strong nor’wester and wasn’t replaced until 1874.

Thermal Pools
In 1879 an iron bathing shed set up on the site and a manager appointed and the first proper swimming pools were dug.
A bathhouse was created in 1883. Invalids and injured servicemen have enjoyed the curative mineral waters.
While, from the outset the thermal pools were used for recreational swimming, they were early recognised for health rehabilitation. A sanatorium was built there in 1914. Treatment included both swimming in and drinking of the thermal waters. The sanatorium burnt down in the same year and was replaced with the Queen Mary Hospital in 1916. It was used for convalescent soldiers returned from World War I. Later the hospital was used for hydrotherapy and treatment of functional nervous disorders until 1971, and then as an alcoholic rehabilitation centre.

Hanmer Springs Forest
In 1902 the Government planted a wide variety of introduced trees at Hanmer Springs as an experiment for New Zealand’s fledging plantation logging industry. Today, Hanmer Forest is unique in New Zealand as a near-natural woodland of European trees.

Queen Mary Hospital
Built by the Department of Defence in 1916 on the 15- hectare site of a previous 1897 sanatorium, the twin-octagonal design of the Soldiers' Ward of the hospital is a rarity in New Zealand architecture. Like its sister hospital in Rotorua, the ward accommodated 200 sufferers of shell shock and neurasthenia in two octagonal rooms connected by a corridor. Features of the rooms were a central nurses station and a lantern roof designed to let fresh air and sunlight into the ward. The gardens feature rhododendrons and azaleas thought to be over 100 years old.

The Queen Mary Soldiers' Ward, however, is the only double-octagonal ward still standing. It is celebrated as a building of national significance.

In 1921, Queen Mary Hospital was handed over to the Health Department. Chisholm Ward, named after the medical superintendent of 23 years, opened in 1926 and the Rutherford Ward in 1942. The hospital treated patients with hypertension and anxiety as well as some joint disabilities. From 1943, the hospital focused on treating functional nervous diseases, and from around this time also became involved in treating alcoholics.

Since 1998, the facility has been leased by Queen Mary Hospital Ltd for the Hanmer Institute, a private drugrehabilitation hospital funded by the Ministry of Health. Queen Mary Hospital Ltd's lease runs until 2019 and the company has first right of refusal on the land but its Ministry of Health funding is insufficient for the company to own and operate the property. Ngai Tahu have second right of refusal on the land.

The Hanmer Springs community has grave fears for the fate of the site if it is sold because the hospital has provided a de-facto park near the centre of town. On August 29, a public meeting of around 145 voted unanimously for the Hurunui District Council to intervene to prevent the site being "developed."

The Historic Places Trust is researching the Soldiers' and Chisholm Wards as part of its registration process, and will contact the Canterbury District Health Board when proposals are more developed. The Chisholm Ward is already listed as a heritage item in the Hurunui district plan.

For information on how to help preserve this historic site visit www.queenmaryreserve.co.nz