A Summer Place

This beautifully shot documentary is a social and architectural history of the great NZ bach (or crib, for those south of the Waitaki). Maggie Barry tracks their evolution from workers’ cottages to a fully fledged icon in danger of extinction: as the blind eye turned by councils that made them possible becomes a thing of the past, and the coastline becomes too valuable to allow ‘just anyone’ to erect a shack on it. The Kiwi spirit that created the building is celebrated. The bach enthusiasts interviewed include Sam Hunt, Keri Hulme, Karl Stead and Rawiri Paratene.

The veneer comes off and you revert to being a happy primate.

– Keri Hulme

Key Cast & Crew

Maggie Barry

Presenter

John Milligan

Producer, Writer, Director

Irene Gardiner

Executive Producer

Sam Hunt

Subject

Graeme Patrick

Camera

Barbara Free

Sound