Picture this. You stand before the Former Quarantine Station on Matiu Somes Island. A chilling wind whips around you carrying the scent of salt and distant woodsmoke. This unassuming building holds a century of secrets.
The Former Quarantine Station on Matiu Somes Island wasn’t just a place of isolation. It was a crucial part of New Zealand’s history. It protected the nation from devastating diseases. It also housed those deemed ‘enemy aliens’ during wartime.
Imagine the anxiety of arriving immigrants. They were herded onto this island. They faced a ten-minute ordeal in a smokehouse. Chlorine potassium nitrate and sulphur fumes were used to rid them of lice. The Former Quarantine Station was their first taste of New Zealand. A harsh and unwelcome one for many.
Smallpox was a constant threat. In 1872 the ship ‘England’ arrived with several cases. Passengers and crew were quarantined here in makeshift shelters. The Former Quarantine Station became a necessary evil. A grim reminder of the dangers of the time.
The island also served as an animal quarantine station. Protecting New Zealand’s agriculture was paramount. Animals arrived mainly from the UK and Australia. They spent 30 to 60 days in quarantine. Blood samples were tested regularly. Parasitic treatments were administered. The Former Quarantine Station was vital for the nation’s economy.
In 1971 a maximum security animal quarantine station opened. It was cutting-edge for its time. It enabled New Zealand to import exotic breeds for study. Animals like elk red deer alpaca and llama were quarantined. The Former Quarantine Station had evolved. It had become a high-tech facility.
Today much of the island’s centre is related to the animal quarantine station. There are several buildings left. These include the maximum security station itself and the caretaker’s cottage. The remains of a brick smokehouse stand as a stark reminder of the human quarantine era.
A memorial cairn remembers those buried here. Mostly immigrants who arrived in the 1870s. Their unmarked graves were once scattered across the slopes. They are now commemorated by this simple stone structure. The Former Quarantine Station stands tall above their resting place.
The Former Quarantine Station on Matiu Somes Island is more than just old buildings. It is a testament to New Zealand’s history. A history of disease war and the struggle to protect its people and its economy. It is a place that evokes a range of emotions. From fear and sorrow to determination and resilience. It is a vital part of the island’s heritage. It deserves to be remembered.