Story: Children’s homes and fostering

Otago Benevolent Institution, 1890s

The Otago Benevolent Institution opened in 1866. For the first three decades both children and elderly people were accommodated there, but after 1896 it was predominately a home for the elderly. Children comprised the majority of residents until the 1870s, and they were schooled on-site until 1893.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, E. R. Williams Collection

Reference: 1/1-025917-G

by William Williams

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Kerryn Pollock, Children’s homes and fostering – Church institutions and charitable aid, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/28556/otago-benevolent-institution-1890s (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 24 March 2011.

Comments

Evan Clulee
02 November 2017

My Gt Gt Grandfather Alfred Clulee (1838-1930) was secretary of the Otago Benevolent Institution for 30 years! Alfred immigrated to New Zealand, and Dunedin in 1861. And was one of the early residents. I'd like to know more about Alfred's time as Sec of the Institution, and whether there are records and photos of him during his time there Evan