19/07/2025
The Duncan Family’s generosity to Whanganui
The the official opening for the restored Duncan Fence on Durie Hill, took place on Saturday, July 5. The fence was originally constructed for the Duncan home Puke Tiro, which in 1952 was altered to become the Duncan hospital for the treatment of polio. This was funded by a grant from Sir Thomas and Lady Duncan of £80,000.
An editorial of The Wanganui Chronicle, dated October 3, 1952, was headed ‘The Duncan Bequests.’ It referred to the following bequests by “the late William McAlpine Duncan” especially the “large sum of approximately £100,000 for the benefit of the City of Wanganui.”
(The first Whanganui Duncan was Andrew, who arrived in Whanganui from Scotland in 1840’s He died in 1893)
Other donations included £2,000 to the New Zealand Institute for the Blind, and £1,000 to the Alexander Museum. William’s sister. “Miss M. A. Duncan, also bequeathed £5000 to the Whanganui Orphanage, £5000 to the NZ Institute of the Blind, £2000 to St Barnabas’ Church, Durie Hill; £1000 each to the Salvation Army and the Sarjeant Gallery and £500 each to the Jubilee Home at Aramoho and the Aubert Home of Compassion.”
The Chronicle concluded its editorial by stating “Seldom does it occur that a single family bestows upon its birthplace such munificence as that been received by the City of Wanganui from the members of the Duncan Family.”
The donations didn’t end there. William McAlpine “Bill” Duncan (1868-1950) brother of Sir Thomas and Lady Duncan was also very generous giving £50,000 to the War Memorial Hall, as well as significant donations to community, arts, culture and racing, funding the Sarjeant, Museum, Wanganui Club and many more. He left the bulk of his estate in trust - The W. M. McAlpine Trust - to continue supporting Whanganui – a trust that continues to this day with a $1m donation to the Sarjeant.
Representatives of the Duncan family will be at the opening on the restored fence and afterwards will view the Duncan Pavillion in Castlecliff. The building of the Pavillion was supported by a grant of £15000 from the W. M. McAlpine Trust, which was added to by a donation in 1973 of $4000 for the carpark and in 1977 of $2000 for a ‘viewscape.’
There is also the Sir Thomas & Lady Duncan Trust which supports and helps to relieve people in New Zealand who suffer from neuro-muscular disorders.
Most of the figures given are in pounds, but if translated into 2025 New Zealand dollars, it is estimated that the combined figure could be up to $200million.
There are other physical reminders of the Duncan family in Whanganui apart from the Pavillion and the fence, including Duncan Street, Boydfield Street (family home of Mrs A Duncan in Scotland), Young Street (a married daughter) and Helmore Street named after a Christchurch firm of solicitors which attended to the family business.
Photo: Duncan Pavillion
