Susi Williams Collection

Silverstream Hospital was built by the New Zealand Government in the early years of World War II. Construction began in September 1941, with the original intention being for the hospital to serve the large concentration of New Zealand troops at nearby Trentham Military Camp.

In May 1942, however, as construction was nearing completion, the decision was made for it to increase capacity and be handed over to the United States Navy, who were to relocate to several bases in the region.

The US Navy occupied the site from August 1942, mainly treating malarial patients and wounded from the War in the Pacific. At the peak of its extensions, it was able to accommodate 1,600 patients and by May 1944, when the Navy vacated the hospital, approximately 20,000 patients had been treated.

In 1944, the institution was taken over by the Wellington Hospital Board, and it became a centre for the care and rehabilitation of elderly patients, and patients with disabilities.

After decades of funding restrictions, the hospital closed on the 30th of June 1989.

Doctor Susi Williams was the Medical Superintendent for the hospital from 1980 until April 1989. This collection documents the everyday operations of the staff and patients at the facility in those final years and captures the unique atmosphere that made the place so special to the many whanau it served.