PHOTO: JANE USSHER/NZ HOUSE & GARDENThe view of the bach from the beachside reserve, with the bedroom pavilion to the left, main living to the right and the courtyard connecting the two zones; the shuttered slider conceals part of the master bedroom window but can be slid across to close off the courtyard; the A-frame roofline was chosen for its timelessness; the garage is in the background.
It took the Pauanui population a while to adjust to the Waters family taking up residence on the beachfront.
The site had been vacant for so long (about 35 years) that locals assumed it was public land – part of the abutting reserve and a handy shortcut to the beach. It was familiar territory to dogs too, as became obvious when the family was preparing to build.
In those days, the family holidayed on site in tents and a caravan. Jeanette Waters recalls waking one morning thinking a grandchild had joined her in bed. Reaching out she instead discovered something furry – an unknown Labrador, obviously feeling quite at home.
JANE USSHER/NZ HOUSE & GARDENThree generations of happy bach-owners: Peter and Jeanette Waters with daughter Justine and grandsons Adam and Nicholas – son Chris and his family live overseas.
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