Located in Melrose,The Truby King Park and House sits on a ridge that overlooks Kilbirnie and beyond to the east and Behampore/Kingston to the west.
Unless you know its there it is well hidden from view. The house was designed in 1923 for Frederic Truby King who is the founder of The Plunket Society of New Zealand which was established in 1907.
Truby and and his wife Isabella lived in the house between 1924 and 1932. The Garden covering 10 acres has a number of brick paths that wind across the side of the hill that overlooks Kilbirnie. It was designed in 1924 as part of the Karitane Hospital that was built near by,so enabling the mothers staying at the hospital somewhere to relax.
In 1927 Isabella died and it was in 1932 that Ruby King gifted the house to the Plunket Society.He moved a short distance from the house to a flat in Sutherland Crescent. He then spent a short time back in his former house until he passed away in the February of 1937.
Truby and his wife a buried in a mausoleum that is located between the house and the gardens. His wife was transferred to the mausoleum after Trubys funeral from a cemetery in Porirua.
For a while the Plunket Society used the house and land but was then taken over by the army during WW11.
The house had different uses during the 60’s before going back as a office for the deputy director of nursing.
The house had very little work done on it for a number of years,and by the 70’s it had become neglected and Plunket found it difficult to maintain.It was not until 1990/91 before the land including the house,mausoleum and gardens were aquired by Wellington Council.
A number of improvements have been carried out on the house and gardens ensuring that the area is kept in good condition.
Although the gardens and Mausoleum are open to the public the house is not and viewing is by appointment only.
The house has now been recognised as having architectural and historical significance.
There are some very good information signage and maps around the site with some excellent information.
The road that runs between the house and gardens form part of the Southern Walkway that goes from the bottom of Mt Victoria all the way to Island Bay.
The Historic Places Register A very good site. Full details on this site and other places within New Zealand
Mausoleum. Link can be found on the above page.
Historic Details Additional Information.
Karitane Society Details on the Karitane Society
Plunket New Zealand Main Site
Tracks Org Southern Walkway Has a good map on the site
Southern Walkway Link to the Councils web site where a map and good info can be found
Southern Walkway My Blog and Pictures on the Southern Walkway.
Above info from Historic Places Register or Info signs around site.
wildbayNZ/Windyhillflyingclub. 2013
WildBay 