Survival of an icon: the great New Zealand bach

Abstract

This report is based on literature research. It aims to establish, firstly, the qualities that, when combined, define the traditional New Zealand Bach; secondly, whether the idea of the traditional New Zealand bach is surviving with the advent of newly built baches; and thirdly, whether the traditional New Zealand bach is surviving with the conversion of baches into places for permanent living. Conclusive evidence has determined the qualities that define the traditional New Zealand bach. The most prominent characteristics are, the bach's relationship with the surrounding landscape, and the bach's simplicity. Evidence from journals also reveals that the traditional bach is surviving with the arrival of the newly built bach, particularly as many traditional bachlike qualities are being retained. In contrast, traditional qualities are generally not being kept in baches that have been converted for permanent living, so in this regard, the traditional bach is not surviving. For future research, it would be interesting to establish whether the idea of the traditional New Zealand bach is surviving under the demand of newer, stricter building codes and regulations.