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Who bought that house? Kiwi bach that became a permanent home snapped up
A much-loved 1960s bach on Tawharanui Peninsula has sold for $1.025m to a couple who fell for its character.
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A classic 1960s bach on the Tawharanui Peninsula has sold for $1.025 million after a media feature sparked a surge in buyer interest. The sellers had extensively renovated the interior, turning it into a permanent home while carefully preserving its original character.
The new owners fell for the property's charm and story, making a swift, unconditional offer. The bach blends modern comforts with nostalgic features, including original kitchen cupboards and built-in seating, ensuring its unique legacy continues.
When Pip and Maz Kefali told the story of their bach renovation at Baddeleys Beach, and the wonderful family times they’ve had there - plus the health issue forcing them to sell - they didn’t expect the market they had experienced as “quiet” to change.
But change it did. The story on Stuff caught the eye of many would-be bach owners, including Leisa Munro and Duncan McGill - Duncan was already waiting at the gate when the listing agent turned up for the weekend open home.
The two couples met each other at the weekend after the sale went unconditional. Duncan McGill and Leisa Munro are pictured at left with Pip and Maz Kefali. Photo: Supplied
“So my husband went straight up to the open home while I was at the movies - the film festival was on - and he came back and said ‘it’s my dream bach’. But he also said there were about 10 groups coming through.“
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And this is what it’s all about - lifestyle. Pip (seen here with Min) and Maz have spent a lot of time outdoors. They have been able to fish with a net off the beach, or from the kayak or “around the point” if they wanted to cast a line. Photo: Ray White
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There’s plenty of the original character remaining in the ‘60s bach - even the painted kitchen cupboards and drawers have been retained. Photo: Ray White
As listing agent Terry Mills of Ray White Warkworth says: “I lost count of how many people came through that day. We were inundated.”
But McGill, a solicitor, and Munro, a guidance counsellor, got an offer in first. A contract was drawn up that weekend, and within a few days it went unconditional, selling for $1,025,000, slightly under the asking price of $1,045,000 (RV $1,055,000).
Leisa Munro says it wasn’t “a cool, calculated real estate deal” - they fell for the property straight away. “We think it’s amazing. We had sold a bach on Waiheke, and had done the same thing ourselves - that one was very much a shack. So we really appreciate the love and warmth that Pip and Maz have put into this one.
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Before and after: Pip was photographed outside the bach when they bought it in 2015; while today (right) the bach has had a whole new lease of life - but the couple kept the red door. Photo: Ray White
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The bach opens out to a deck, front and back, with a sea view through trees. The original partitions between rooms were replaced with proper walls and doors, and the bach was fully insulated. Photo: Ray White
We are a blended family with five adult children, and we have told them it will be absolutely loved by a big rumpty family who will love it as much as they grieve it.”
The two couples have got to know each other - Mills set up a meeting between the buyers and sellers at the bach last weekend. And in a moment of serendipity, Leisa says they heard from a neighbour who lived opposite them in their primary residence, who said, ‘Hey, I think you’ve just bought my Mum and Dad’s place.“
The bach has been a permanent residence for the Kefalis, who were determined to keep its original character. But they said it was “a real do-up” when they bought it. Inside, there were partitions - the walls between the rooms didn’t go right up to the ceiling, and there were curtains for doors.
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There are decks out both sides of the bach. The sleepout and library at the rear was built within a container on skids. Photo: Ray White
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Sunset through the pohutukawa signals the end of another perfect day. Photo: Supplied
“All there was here was the bach on the grass, with maybe a metre of decking out from the front door,” Maz said.
The walls were stripped back, insulation and new walls installed. “We basically rebuilt the inside, and we purchased a fire to be put in the week we moved in.”
The bach still has the painted kitchen cupboards that date back to the ‘60s, and the same tapware. When the couple needed to replace the stainless steel benchtop, they commissioned a copy. And the built-in seating beside the window is original.
Selling was not a decision taken lightly by the Kefalis. Maz took early retirement due to health issues, and no longer drives. And with an ailing parent to consider, they have chosen to move closer to family and services.
This article was originally published by stuff.co.nz
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