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Hazel Bach after renovation
Hazel Bach is named after Hazel Penk, sister of Hine Sharkey.
Both the Penk and Sharkey families have been continuously associated with Bach 118 since the 1930s.
Both families are now into their fifth generation of association with Islington Bay. Their extended families (in particular the Stewarts) had other baches at Islington Bay.
Unlike other baches which are on the waterfront, Hazel is nestled in the bush beside the road that links Motutapu and Rangitoto Islands, continuing from Islington Bay to the summit.
It is just along from the tennis courts and pavilion (Stone Hall), which were the site of a children's playground comprising swings, see-saws and a very high slide.
The young Penks would play there regularly during the 50s and 60s, just shouting distance from the bach itself.
Other favourite activities included collecting driftwood from Motutapu beach for the family woodburning stove, gathering cockles and pipi, walks through Trotter's Track and to the summit and Boulder Bay (wrecks), and playing with the children of other bach families, in particular the Prices and Turners.
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