Baches of Rangitoto Island

Rangitoto Island

Rangitoto Island's landmark baches, built mostly in the 1920s and 1930s, are now recognised as a vital part of Aucklands's social history.

During the 20's and 30's three bach settlements were built at Rangitoto Wharf, Islington Bay and Beacon End. There were more than 100 baches as well as boatsheds and somecommunal facilities.
Between 1926 and 1933 Mt Eden prisoners built a road to Beacon End and Islington Bay, a swimming pool at Rangitoto Wharf and a hall at Islington Bay, with input from the bach
holders. Community projects such as children's playgrounds, tennis courts and St John Ambulance huts were all provided
by funds raised by bach holders, with Saturday night dances at the Islington Bay Hall popular during the summer months.

Co-operation, friendship and fellowship are themes that ran throughout the stories of the bach families.

Following a review by the Minister of Lands on the legality of the leases, a decision was made in 1937 that no further
leases for sites would be allowed. In 1957 there were 95 leases issued for 33 years with strict conditions attached: no sale, exchange or rent, no additions or alterations. On the death of the leasee the bach would be removed or demolised. Many baches were demolished during
the 1970s and 1980s, but in 1990 a moratorium on demolition was served and 34 baches had their leases renewed for a
further 33 years.

More recently, the Minister of Conservation announced the intention of removing all remaining baches
from the ecologically important landscape, except for three or four 'representative examples'.

In 1997 the three communities were registered as historic areas by New Zealand Historic Places Trust and the
Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust (which now works with the Department of Conservation on the project). In 1998, Auckland City undertook a detailed heritage assessment of the baches.

The Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust is working to restore, preserve and maintain the communities as well as documenting the bach settlements for archival use.

Open: The baches are not open to the public. Regular ferries run daily to Rangitoto Island - contact the operators for information

Registered as an historic area - Rangito wharf, Islington Bay, McKenzie Bay

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Fort Takapuna/Fort Cautley

128 Vauxhall Road, Narrow Neck

The fort was designed by G C Stephenson and built in 1886-7 following the Russian invasion scare of 1885. It is close to the cliffs that form one boundary of the former
Defence Reserve HMNZS Tamaki/Fort Cautley. The bold forms of this simple but imposing barrack block of concrete and brick are emphasised by the quoins, moulded cornice and crenellated parapet. The rest of the structure, including the gun emplacements and tunnels, is completely hidden underground.

In 1996 the Royal New Zealand Navy relinquished its occupation of that portion of the reserve which became the Fort Takapuna Historic Reserve. The Department of
Conservation undertook detailed research into the history and use of the Fort. Careful restoration will ensure that it remains part of New Zealand's military history.

Registered as a Category I historic place

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