They’ve spent more than 40 years making memories at this classic Kiwi bach. Now it’s time to let go

For years, the little bach by the sea at Mataikona on the Wairarapa coast was the Williams family’s annual escape.

Every summer, Allan and Jan would leave their farm at Wainuioru behind and head to the beach with their three daughters, renting the bach for a week from its owners, friends of Allan’s parents.

It was very much a typical Kiwi holiday. Long days on the beach, lazing on the deck, catching crayfish – barbecues and relaxing.

“Right in front of the bach are these peculiar-shaped rocks, and they all run in a pattern along the beach, and they're great for rock pooling,” says Allan.

“The kids used to go and spend hours there at low tide, just mucking around. It was such a safe little area that you could go down there and sit on the beach and watch them for hours on end.”

Then, in 1987, the family got the chance to make the little slice of paradise their own.

The owners were an elderly couple, and after the husband died, Allan offered to help his widow with the maintenance in exchange for being able to continue their annual holiday.

“She rang me and she said, ‘You want to buy the bach?’”

It wasn’t an easy time financially for the Williams family, but they managed to cobble together the funds and became proud owners of their holiday getaway.

Their annual week-long escape soon became something much more frequent.

“It was really nice because it was a beautiful place to be.

“We never had a TV or a telephone there,” says Allan. “We just played cards and games and went down to the sea and did fishing and rock pools and all that sort of stuff.”

The bach, originally built in the 1950s, is in “great condition” says Allan, and has been updated over the years, with a new bathroom, a small extension, a replacement roof and bigger water tanks.

But much of its original character remains.

The Williams’ bach is now one of the last remaining in the block, with neighbouring properties having been extended and converted into larger holiday homes.

“Most of them are now at least three bedrooms, if not more. But ours is just still a little two-bedroom place, typical Kiwi bach.”

He describes his neighbours as “lovely”, although not many of the homes nearby are occupied year-round.

There’s a small community store in Castlepoint to grab essentials, and a pub at the nearby golf club for “other” essentials.

They’ve had some spectacular weather, and some gnarly storms there too.

“It doesn't matter whether you're in Gisborne or whether you're in the Wairarapa, you still get those nor'westers.”

But the bach has withstood them all.

“That's the way it is with beach houses. I mean, the weather comes with them, doesn't it?”
Now, after nearly four decades of ownership, the Williams are ready to call time on their coastal escape.

Both are in their 80s, their three daughters have grown up and have families of their own.

“When we first bought the bach, we bought it as an investment, really, because in those days there was no KiwiSaver, and we didn't have a pension fund or anything like that then.

“I guess, over time, it has increased in value.

“But yeah, the time's just right for us.”

Allan is aware the next owners could make some very big changes to the property, but still hopes they may keep it as is.

“There are a lot of people who come to our bach and say, ‘Oh, isn't it great that you haven't extended it and made it into a three-bedroom house or whatever?’

“There’s a lot of appeal there just for a good old Kiwi bach.”