Feature article
A concussion upended her city life. Now she’s rebuilding a forgotten bush bach, and herself
A Dutch expat rebuilding a tiny Waitākere bach says nature helped heal her after a devastating concussion.
AI summary
After a life-changing concussion, Dutch expat Marinella van den Hoven left city life in Amsterdam for the Waitākere Ranges to heal in nature.
She and her partner are now renovating a neglected 1940s bach, doing much of the work themselves to restore its character. The project focuses on creating a "cosy cocoon of joy" and a food forest on their quarter-acre property. This move provided a quiet, restorative environment crucial for her recovery and a more relaxed lifestyle.
Marinella and Bronson are doing most of the grunt work themselves. Photo: Marinella van den Hoven
Marinella van den Hoven at home in the Waitakere cottage she is renovating with her partner Bronson Wilson. Photo: Marinella van den Hoven
The cottage is surrounded by garden and native bush. Photo: Marinella van den Hoven
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