The Settler's Hut - Historical Army Hut

The Settlers Hut has a wonderful historical past. It started life as an Army Hut, located at the aptly named “Man O War” bay during the last world war, where it housed Soldiers keeping NZ and Waiheke safe from invasion. They were very small modest huts, only 9m long in fact, and 2.5m wide. In this day and age, you would call it a “Tiny House”.

After the war ended, people were very poor, and many did not have enough money to build homes. Many of these tiny huts were relocated all over the island to form homes for many of the early settlers on Waiheke Island.

When Robyn first saw the little hut, nestled into the hillside overlooking a beautiful seascape, she fell in love. It was just so cute, but it was so derelict. Initially, Robyn says “I decided the only thing for it was to demolish it and build a lovely new home on the beautiful site overlooking the sea. But somehow or other, it seemed such a shame to pull such a slice of history down. I never quite pulled the new plans together, and one day, I just thought….the little Army Hut is so full of history, and it wants to stay put, and be lovingly restored – something that’s my passion and what I love to do in life. Some people rescue people, some people rescue animals, some people rescue cars….my passion is rescuing houses and bringing them back to life, and having people fill them to enjoy blissful, happy times.

I call it my playhouse for grown-ups' as it reminds me of the hours I used to spend in my playhouse as a child. All those cups of tea that I served to my teddies! Memories are fun to look back on, but my motto is to keep making them, to my dying day.

This Hut is an old fashioned holiday. I have created this little tiny house as a getaway for a couple, two couples, or a couple with children, to enjoy a holiday or a weekend that will make the best of memories.

The Settlers Hut has a large covered deck, and this space is very much the living room. It has comfortable outdoor seating and a BBQ on the deck. The deck is designed for pure relaxation. I have put packs of cards in there, board games, books… hoping that you won't connect to wifi the whole time you were there…imagine that spending all weekend with your loved one or friends, taking walks to Oneroa, visiting the restaurants, and then on your lay day, playing cards and board games, sipping your favourite tipple on the deck, sharing stories…cooking a simple meal on the bbq, and watching the sunset. But don’t worry, its got ultrafast broadband, everybody is catered for 🙂 Snuggle on the bed, watch a movie and chill to your heart's content – it’s about getting away and doing exactly what you find relaxing.

It has two bedrooms, but only one is inside the hut. The other one is a sleepout on the deck. The sleepout has a little window with a sea view.

Squirrelled away down a winding right of way, it has parking for two cars.

The photos will help you decide if the Settlers Hut is right for you."

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