Bach (New Zealand)
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Bach (pronounced Batch) is the name given in New Zealand to structures akin to small, often very modest holiday homes or beach houses. They are an iconic part of New Zealand history and culture, especially in the midst of the 20th century, where they symbolized the beach holiday lifestyle that was becoming more accessible to the middle class[1].
In the southern part of New Zealand, the term "crib" is also used.
[edit] Construction
They are almost always small structures, usually made of cheap or recycled material like fibrolite (asbestos sheets), corrugated iron or used timber [2]. They were influenced by the backwoods cabins and sheds of the early settlers and farmers.
While older baches tend to be fibrolite lean-to structures, modern kit-set structures are becoming popular amongst bach owners. Department of Conservation figures estimate that more that 50,000 bachs exist around New Zealand, a high number considering the country's population of barely more than 4 million people.
Many baches do not have modern amenities like connection to the water and electricity grid.
[edit] Legal status
Old baches often have 'existing use' [3] rights under the Resource Management Act in areas where even such modest residential or part-time residential buildings would not be allowed by newer zoning regulations. As such, they are quite prized, even though these days, authorities look unfavourably on proposals to convert them into full residential buildings.
Some baches whose construction was obviously legally dubious (such as those on Rangitoto) have been dismantled over time.
[edit] References
- ^ Te Ara, Encyclopedia of New Zealand (encyclopedia section about holiday life)
- ^ Te Ara, Encyclopedia of New Zealand (short encyclopedia section about bach architecture)
- ^ Resource Management Act (Department of the Environment, see 'existing use' in the actual act text)
