A century of heritage to continue at iconic baches
with the iconic piece of Northland coastal heritage.
She and husband Graham call themselves Tait Bach “custodians”, looking after their iconic piece of New Zealand architectural history and coastal paradise. They are passionate about seeing it passed down through the family generations that follow after their tenure, as has been the case with family before them.
Strict wastewater and greywater management rules govern licence to occupy extensions in order to protect estuary health.
The Tait Bach has sealed underground tanks for its wastewater and greywater, both of which are emptied and taken off site.
Whananaki bach owners first applied for a post-June 2020 licence to occupy extension in April last year. WDC staff then surveyed community views on the baches’ ongoing presence before the matter was taken back to full council in December 2019 and councillors voted to grant the licence to occupy extension. Management of this licence process is coordinated so all roll over as a group at the same time. The survey overwhelmingly supported retaining the baches.
WDC staff held meetings with locals from Whakapaumahara Marae, Whananaki Community Lead Trust and Whananaki Beach Residents and Ratepayers Association. They also surveyed private landowners, private bach owners and those with a licence for the baches.
In 2012 Dunn wrote a popular book about the Whananaki North baches. Brother and equestrian Olympian Blyth Tait first played in rock pools across Whananaki estuary with his sister Sandi as a young child. Photographic evidence of these early years is found among dozens of photos through the generations on the bach’s walls.
“These baches are an important part of New Zealand’s history,” Dunn said.
Among Dunn’s early experiences in the coastal hamlet were community picnics attended by locals from both sides of the Whananaki estuary, now Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters’ Whananaki South-based family included.
Pipi fritters, pohutukawa and perfection — the essence of Whananaki North baches’ life. The Dunns feel honoured to be able to continue a family tradition of 60 years to date.