Te Hira Bach 101 sits as sentry guarding the causeway between the two islands, Motutapu and Rangitoto.

We consider ourselves the unofficial lifeguards, to the little rock pool under the bridge, and many a time a rescue has been performed from the pool.

Te Hira Bach 101 is first left off the path with the grey doors and steps to match. Those steps have seen some shocking colour schemes, (one year they were bright mandarin), and play a large role for grandstand seating, family portrait podium and general information centre to the thousands of day trippers.

Stepping inside, you’re taken back to 1914 wartime period, same paint and lino to boot, because it was the first building bought over to be used as an army outpost office. Even the furniture is from that period. The wrought iron big bed is like the bed in the movie Bedknob and Broomsticks, but ours has a big dip in the middle of it. There are matching wrought iron bunks that also have a sinking pit in the middle. Most of the pieces were collected from other batches when they had to be demolished and for an avid antique collector these pieces would be prized possessions.

Given that there is no electricity on the island most of the cooking is done in The Cave. It is here we belt out hit songs of yesteryear, solve all the worlds’ crisis, psychoanalyse our family and friends and dream about how we’d spend our lotto winnings. The open fire grand seating arrangements have seen many a visitor and TV documentary, and has become something of a legendary place to visit.

On a more serious course of discussion, we are all well aware of the environmental responsibilities arising from being kaitiakitanga or guardians. First and foremost is respecting the elements like whenua (land), te rangi (air) and tangaroa (the sea). Each generation has been taught about safety around fires, swimming, and clearing away weeds and rubbish. Our family realise the huge privilege of being a part of Rangitoto Island, and acknowledge our Grandmother Minnie TeHira for her vision of securing a little piece of heaven here on earth.