Sunday, October 03, 2010

More than just a shack

This private hut (I found it out in the bush today) is a real, classic piece of NZ history- now rapidly vanishing.

These huts, cribs and batches were thrown up out of scavenged materials without the blessing of engineer, building inspector or licensed, certified or state-registered tradesmen of any kind.

Despite being built in some of NZ's harshest climates, they persist in standing and keeping the weather out.

Many of them have been demolished to make way for 500k+ seaside mansions.
A lot have been destroyed as they were built on 'public' land- which is now (after 50+ years-wanted- usually by DOC)

They are a part of our history- Biggles books on the handmade bookshelf and ancient sofa and all.

The powers-that-be-will protect any Maori midden than is on a proposed building site, but THIS part of our heritage is destroyed without a second thought- truly a scandal!

The tales that old shanty could tell...

1 comment:

Richard McGrath said...

They just don't make 'em like they used to, Os!