The New Zealand health camp movement arose from growing concern about children’s health and welfare in the early twentieth century. There was a new awareness that many children were missing out on fresh air, sunshine and healthy food. This was the first permanent Children’s Health Camp, opening in 1932.
Dr Elizabeth Gunn, School Medical Officer at Wanganui, became interested in camps for children after serving with the army (1916–18). She organised a successful health camp under canvas every summer for several years at Turakina.
Byron Brown, businessman and entrepreneur of Ōtaki, donated four acres of land (later enlarged to 70 acres) near the beach.
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