June 2011 Earthquake Update!!!
The earthquakes on Monday 13th June have resulted in considerable damage to the area, and a number of the baches. Fortunately all are repairable and will be an even more important part of the cultural heritage of Christchurch for many years to come. Many others in Christchurch have not faired so well, and our thoughts are with all those who have, and continue to suffer the consequences of the recent earthquakes. Donations can be made to the New Zealand Red Cross
Welcome to the baches at Taylors Mistake and Boulder Bay
The Kiwi Bach is an icon of New Zealand culture, that is sadly dissapearing from many parts of New Zealand. The first baches at Taylors Mistake were build in the 1890's, although most of the baches present today were built in the first half of last century. They were the first baches in New Zealand to be officially sanctioned, with the Sumner Council first issuing licences to occupy in 1911.
This website captures some of the history behind these little cottages by the sea. While they are built in a diverse range of styles, from a range of materials (most often salvaged), they all share the unique characteristics of being real baches.
The baches have been threatened a number of times with destruction. Whilst this has created much angst, (and plenty of media coverage), it has also acted to preserve these baches, very much in their original state. We hope that these baches will continue to be treasured family holiday homes, which in another hundred years, people will still walk past marvelling at the ingenuity of those who first built them.
This website is very much a work in progress which we hope to update and improve on as we have time. If you have any interesting information, stories or photos you would like to contribute, please contact Brent Gilpin
The baches
Taylors Mistake
There are currently 36 baches at Taylors Mistake. 19 of them form Rotten Row on the Southern side of the bay, while the remainder are on the other side of the bay, starting from the carpark, and continuing around to Hobson's Bay.
Boulder Bay
At the end of the walkway from Taylors Mistake, just before the track goes up to Godley Head, the nine baches at Boulder Bay are testament to the tenacity of our forefathers, who had to row or carry the materials to build their baches in this bay.
Lost Cave Baches
At one stage there were over 20 baches built into the caves between Taylors Mistake and Boulder Bay. None of these baches had electricity, and the last of these were dismantled or torched in 1978. Now just the foundations remain...
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