Between 1902 and 1937 the Katikati Domain Board leased sites for baches on the saddle above Anzac Bay. Anzac Bay is located at the southern tip of Bowentown Heads facing towards Tauranga Harbour. It is sheltered by higher land on either side and has patches of bush that meet the water line. The board actively encouraged holiday makers to stay in the domain by pegging out tent and section sites. In 1934 the secretary of the board, C.T. Dunne summed up the board’s attitude toward people building baches:
I may say that among unofficial comments the case of families coming year after year and desiring a little comfort for the children during the holidays, erect a weather-proof shanty, are they expected to pull it down and re-erect it year after year just for a couple of months to sleep in?71
During this period 30 baches were built. In 1937 the tenants of these baches were advised by the board that in 20 years time they would have to vacate and remove their baches. In 1958, following an acrimonious legal battle, the tenants were evicted. The history of the board’s relationship with the bach owners illustrates conflicting ideas about the nature of ‘public reserves’ and the public’s rights to occupy coastal public land. This is illustrated by the fact that the tenants in early correspondence are referred to as ‘tenants’ with ‘baches’, and later as ‘squatters’ occupying ‘shacks.’ The reason for removing the tenants was so that the area could be used for the purpose it was set aside for, that is public recreation.72
As early as 1923 Lands and Survey had agreed to the board making camp sites available, but instructed that the board’s aim ‘should always be to prevent the erection of permanent structures.’73 However, by 1934 thirty baches, a bathing shed, two lavatories, and two dressing sheds, a recreation hall and a store had been built.74 The board had informally leased the whole of the Bowentown Heads to W. Shannon for £70 per year. Shannon recovered costs by letting camp sites, grazing stock, and sales from the store.75
In 1937 the Minister of Lands visited the area and directed the board to issue no further permits for buildings. Existing buildings were given a life of 20 years before the tenants would be required to vacate. The tenants were to be given notice that the baches would have to be removed by 31 March 1957.76 However, it would appear that the Minister’s instructions were ignored, as in 1948 there was found to be over 40 baches in the domain, and alterations and additions had been made to the previously existing baches.77 In 1949 the Crown solicitor instructed that a new notice should be issued that clearly forbid any alterations or additions to existing buildings. He also
71 Secretary Katikati Domain Board to Under Secretary for Lands, 15 December 1934, Katikati Domain Records, WBoPDC
72 as per New Zealand Gazette, 1897, p 1637
73 Head Office Committee, Baches on Katikati Domain, 2 September 1954, LS 3/2/40
74 Ibid
75 Ibid
76 Ibid
77 Head Office Committee, Baches on Katikati Domain, 3 September 1954, LS 3/2/40
