One of the earliest examples of Pakeha architecture is the settler's cottage. This is Acacia Cottage, dating back to 1841 when it was built in the centre of Auckland. It's the oldest surviving house in the city and is now situated in Cornwall Park.
As settlers became more established, more comfortable villas were built. This is another very early example at the Treaty Grounds in Waitangi, home to the then Governor, James Busby, from 1833.
Increases in leisure time and disposable incomes resulted in holiday homes - the Kiwi bach. Built by the beach, baches (short for "bachelor") were very basic, the bathroom was a long drop and a sponge bath and most cooking was done outside. Rangitoto Island is home to a number of baches which have been carefully preserved - one restored bach recently won a UNESCO Heritage award.
Nowadays liberal planning rules mean that nearly anything goes. During my trip to Great Barrier Island in 2004, I was particularly taken by this space-age house, built by the architect Greg Noble as his own home using some of the latest materials.
And which one of those 4 are you buying?!!
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