Karitane

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The seaside settlement of Karitane is located within the limits of the city of Dunedin in New Zealand, 35 kilometres to the north of the city centre.

Set in rolling country near the mouth of the Waikouaiti River, the town is a popular holiday retreat for Dunedinites.

Close to the settlement is the site of Huriawa Pā, which was a major fortification in pre-European New Zealand set in a strong position on a rocky promontory above the coast.

To New Zealanders, the name Karitane is inextricably linked with pioneering paediatrician and psychiatrist Sir Truby King, founder of the Plunket Society. Plunket set up a string of neonatal care institutions known throughout the country as "Karitane Hospitals", starting in Dunedin in 1907. This association with Karitane's name lingers in the brand-name of a type of infant formula, "Karicare". Truby King also worked at nearby Seacliff Asylum.

The site of the present settlement of Karitane includes that of the pre-European Māori kaik, or undefended village, and also that of the whaling station set up by Long, Wright and Richards in 1837. That was known as Waikouaiti, but the name later became transferred to the present township of that name established by John Jones as a farming settlement in 1840, on the north side of the estuary. In 1838 Jones acquired the Karitane whaling station. After sending pioneers to start his farming settlement he sent a Wesleyan missionary to join them in May 1840, James Watkin, the first in the South Island. However Watkin set up his mission station at Karitane. He was living there with his wife and children in a purpose-built house by late 1842. In 1867 George O'Brien 1821-1888 painted a memorable view looking north from the Karitane waterfront, now in the Otago Settlers Museum, Dunedin.

Coordinates: 45°39′S, 170°40′E