The houses are called batches or cribbs (if you are from further south). They have no legal right to be there. In the early 1900's locals just built them. They either carried the materials there or took them by boat. They all have remainend in local hands. They are holiday or weekend homes. Despite the lines there is no power or phones. The issue of the batches is a real political battle. The local Government and the Department of Conservation wants to remove them, but there is a lot of local opposition to and against them. With the earthquake I think that it will be a good while before the issue comes up again.
Oh-yes the winch still works
Taylors Mistake - the start and end ot the walk
The Volcanic Strata of Banks Peninsular
