About this episode

This episode explores the history and origins of New Zealand's mental institutions, known as 'lunatic asylums'.

The last of the so-called 'lunatic asylums' closed only 20 years ago. They were founded on ideas of paternalism and social progress and survived on the basis they offered safety. In this special crossover with the Black Sheep podcast, William Ray and Kirsty Johnston look into their origins. The last of the so-called 'lunatic asylums' closed only 20 years ago. They were founded on ideas of paternalism and social progress and survived on the basis they offered safety. In this special crossover with the Black Sheep podcast, William Ray and Kirsty Johnston look into their origins. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

People in this episode

Host: William Ray

Guest: Kirsty Johnston

Topics covered

• mental health
• history
• asylums
• New Zealand
• paternalism
• social progress

Keywords

• mental institutions
• New Zealand
• lunatic asylums
• history
• paternalism
• social progress

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Black Sheep, RNZ

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