Taylors Mistake baches, Banks Peninsula, New Zealand

In New Zealand a 'bach' is traditionally a 'poor man's holiday cottage'. Today baches can be luxuriant holiday homes costing millions, but the traditional family bach, built from recycled, recovered and scrounged materials still remains. Many of these baches were originally squatters, built on the shores of rivers lakes and the sea within the "queens chain" and only later did the law catch up and allow them the right to stay. Some bach settlements, however, are still technically illegally sited and battles go on over whether they can stay, especially if they are on conservation estate or on legal road or land reserves. Masny have become historic;ly important buildings and received at least a modicum of protection. These baches at Taylors Mistake near Christchurch are typical. Perched right on the beach at the foot of ancient volcanic cliffs, tucked into caves and overhangs, or perched on seemingly precarious ledges just above the sea. Basic, unpretentious, but serving families for many generations. Some were damaged in recent earthquakes but others remain habitable in the cosy niches.

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