Dr Kay Morris Matthew and John McKinnon

The often harrowing and sometimes heartening stories of fourteen people who grew up in children’s homes in Hawke’s Bay are told in a book written by EIT research professor Kay Morris Matthews.

The academic historian of education says Who Cared? Childhoods within Hawke’s Bay Children’s Homes and Orphanages 1892-1988 is a snapshot of the experiences of thousands of youngsters – orphaned, illegitimate, abandoned or destitute – who lived part or all of their childhoods in eight institutions that operated in the region.

The book was launched on the EIT campus by John McKinnon, who lived at France House at Eskdale, a home for teenage boys.

Others whose stories are told in the book also attended the launch. The first to analyse New Zealand childhoods

spent in institutions, Dr Morris Matthews says most people have forgotten or have never known about these atypical upbringings. Many are surprised that the last such home in Hawke’s Bay closed as recently as 24 years ago.

Dr Morris Matthews accessed information held by local museums, researched government records and sought out people who had experienced institutional childhoods at first-hand.

Some described institutions where the culture was tough, there was little ‘caring’ and predictable daily routines included large doses of religion.

Most children were only three or four years old when admitted, and they suffered long-term effects of emotional abuse. A more positive theme was of youngsters who developed self-reliance and resilience at an

early age.

“For some, the children they grew up with remained ‘like family’ all their lives, and their networks and friendships remain strong,” Dr Morris Matthews said.

Priced at $30, Who Cared? Childhoods within Hawke’s Bay Children’s Homes and Orphanages 1892-1988 was designed and printed by EIT Reprographics and is distributed by Otatara Bookshop, email bshop@eit.ac.nz