The Rocky Bay Store is taking its first steps towards rejuvenation after new owners pledged to restore and potentially repurpose the historic, but neglected site.

The store, and the site on which it sits, have a curious history. In defiance of its current dilapidated state, local residents have enthusiastically championed its retention as a much-loved community asset.

Rocky Bay (Omiha)-which means 'welcome' in Te Reo, is located on the southern coastline of Waiheke, boasting spectacular views and a charming, swimmable beach. The genesis of the village atop came via subdivision in the third decade of the twentieth century. Geographic isolation gave birth to a feisty spirit amongst its inhabitants, who wore their seclusion as a badge of honour.

The store was erected in the 1920s (most likely in 1924) and sits at the southern end of Glenbrook Road. It served as the Post Office from May 1 1926, replacing an older store at the corner of McMillan and Wairau Roads. The postmaster of the time was recorded as A. J (Arnold) Moberly, who stayed in the role until 1934, when the lease was transferred to a Joseph Fisher.

The SS Tangaroa called at Omiha Wharf three times a week from Auckland to deliver and collect mail, and drop off food staples like tea, flour, sugar and post-depression Kiwiana offerings like corned beef and mutton. Friday was the only day passengers were permitted to board the ship and set sail bound for the attractions of the big smoke.

Rocky Bay on an idyllic morning. Photo Jim Birchall

Adequate transport links to the rest of the island were not provisioned at the time of the development. Being saturated by native bush meant Omiha remained cut off from traffic other than from horse or vessel until the summer of 1956/57 when O'Brien Road's completion granted unimpeded access to the rest of the island. During this period, the area was the first on Waiheke to be connected to the National grid, bringing power and light to the dense dark canopy.

The store, and the community hall opposite, continued to be the hub of social activity for locals put off by the fiddly journey to Onetangi or Oneroa. Waiheke had limited entertainment options until the 1970s, and the hall served as a stage for performers, exhibiting artists and community meetings. The store became a place for neighbours to mingle, chat and get their fix of news from beyond the bays' emerald seas.

In the decades following, a cast of characters took on ownership of the store. Marie and Fred added Marie's baked goods to the store's inventory in the seventies and eighties (as well as acquiring a much-welcomed liquor licence). The store was one of only two licenced establishments on the island. Pleasure seekers would sit on its balcony enjoying their vino with impunity thanks to a licencing exemption that defined the area as private land. Parched boaties would end their day enjoying a drop outside adjacent to walls decorated with classic Montana Wines signage. A couple from Switzerland sold homemade sausage until to the early 1990s, while other's brewed up coffee and peddled French Patisseries.

Given its iconic status, it is somewhat surprising that a lineage of ownership was never fully established. As the Millennium approached, the property was brought by an overseas development firm, who, by all accounts, intended to demolish the store and build townhouses on the site.

Actions by the council of the time to allow a swift demolition of the structure, which admittedly had seen better days, were predictably opposed by a residents group who felt the approval for demolition was granted clandestinely and without proper public consultation on what was viewed as an essential community asset.

A group of around 50 rambunctious but well-meaning locals gathered on a winter's morning in 2002 in defiance of contractor's bulldozers, creating an automotive blockade with their own vehicles until ultimately winning a reprieve from the development firm.

A suspicious fire in 2003 came not long after the interdiction from the activists. The building was completely gutted, leaving only a blackened interior skeleton. The site was unpowered, and investigators stated an accelerant had been used. The persons responsible for starting the blaze were never brought to justice, and the store's insides have been left in charred neglect since. A Waiheke filmmaker, Eileen Lee, even made an award-winning documentary on the circumstances surrounding the suspected arson.

The store's heritage status has been a lightning rod for debate over the past 30 years, often muddied by the complexity of legalese. Today, the outer walls of the landmark are afforded protection under Heritage New Zealand's Pouhere Taonga Act. Conversely, the fire-wrecked inner has no such covenant attached.

The store in the 1990s

Potential developers face examination from locals determined to retain the building's character, leading to some abandoning grandiose design plans over the years, leading some to toss their vision in the too- hard -basket.

Campaigners since have worked towards having the site reclassified as a going concern, presenting an opportunity to create a boutique space, with autonomy for residents. Various community members have offered their 2 cents worth, some suggesting the store frontage could be moved across the road alongside the memorial hall. This idea gained some traction in the early 2000s but ultimately fell by the wayside. Further conversation toyed with selling locally-produced goods synonymous with Waiheke like olive oil, wines and crafts. Some favoured creating an art space to showcase local talent or even house a permanent artist in residence. The idea of transforming it into a chocolatier was also mooted.

It's a challenge recently taken up by new owners Simon Thompson and Mel Rowsell. Both have experience overhauling properties and the relevant skill-sets. Simon describes himself as an "upcycler" whose aim is to not let any salvageable, old materials go to waste. He says he is calling on knowledge acquired from his seven years working in demolition in Hamilton. " In those days, heritage was not held in such high regard, and we pulled down many a fine old building. What that experience did give me, however, was a huge appreciation for how old buildings were constructed. My grandfather was a builder in early Hamilton, and a couple of buildings we removed he had constructed- so in a strange way, it gave me a connection to him".

In Mel's case, generational ties to the Hooks family-immortalised by Hooks Bay and Hooks Lane in Surfdale brought her back to the island. Mel's mum Jenny was raised on Waiheke. Her Grandfather, George used to count people onto the Surfdale ferry. Her Grandmother was a shopkeeper and worked at Poppelwells in Oneroa.

After stumbling across a property listing advertised on Trade Me, Mel says they were attracted to it after discovering more than meets the eye. "It was three sites for sale, we immediately fell in love" with the history and potential of the store.

Living in Sunnyhills, near Half Moon Bay, means commuting to Waiheke to work on their dream. Over their summer, Mel says they aim to spend as much time ,as her business- coaching company allows, sinking their teeth into the project.

They are not coming in blind to a challenge that has, in the past, enthused others but has not led to anything tangible. Experience clearing bush and building at a similarly idyllic location in the Coromandel has steeled their resolve to transform Rocky Bay Store. "We have developed one other bush site before at Opoutere near Whangamata", says Simon- a process he colloquially refers to as "whipping into shape."
Simon remarks that the couple doesn't mind "taking on another overgrown section to turn into an amazing slice of paradise, and "can't wait to get started on our next adventure!"

Engaging professional services people to impart expert advice and complete a feasibility study on their purchase, is smart considering they are taking an educated gamble on a property that has not aged well, Simon says there are "rules, regulatory constraints, planning" that need to be satisfied, which includes wading through some 195 documents pertaining to land use. The baby steps approach appropriate given the emotionally charged response that has come with any potential development in the past.

Simon says that initial investigations to "get the lay of the land" had them "finding old foundations, old water tanks and securing what is left of the store. "Next, we will be clearing out the sections of trees, noxious weeds and letting some light in. This will then help us understand what we have bought, see the topography, where the views are, where the little stream runs, and how the sun moves across the site".

Mel says clearing the dense overgrowth has already thrown up a surprise. After doing a thorough reconnaissance of the area and a culvert investigation to determine waste-water capabilities, they have discovered a previously unknown sleep-out. Whether there is any scope to recover the room is to be determined.
Simon adds that "people expect we have a pre-defined plan" for the site but remarks that all intentions are fluid at this stage, and "symbiosis with the land" is paramount.

Proving they are made of sterner stuff, the couple says working in inclement conditions will not see them down tools, and in fact, see it as an instrument to harden their resolve.
" We aim always to be onsite in the worst of the worst weather conditions. Nothing teaches you more about a site than when you are present during a once in a hundred-year storm," says Simon." Staying on a location from the beginning, when you have no power, water, flushing toilet, or internet, allows you to really be proud and appreciate each advancement made. We have a gas stove, a tent and the drive to strive for the day when we can have a hot shower that we have made happen ourselves."

New owners Mel and Simon

The sheer volume of remedial work and land clearance contained within the repurposing, not surprisingly, is not for those faint of heart. " When we were considering taking on this project we asked each other do we really want to do this ?" says Simon.
Fears of taking on too much were allayed after considering Mel's proclivity to motivate. "Using Mel's amazing skills as a coach, the question was quickly answered," laughs Simon.

Since 2003's fire the store's ragged exterior has served as a blank canvas for artists to vent their creative spleen. Political pieces displaying not-so-subtle jabs at developers, or at least potential ones, still adorn the shopfront. Police even received an official complaint from the owners 2016 after they took umbrage with the audacity to create unsanctioned artworks on their property. Omiha Welfare and Recreation Society were contacted to supply any information identifying the dastardly dissident. Still, no one was ever identified, and in fact, many locals enjoyed the paintings of men and wildlife. In the washup, the art was saved, the president of the Society Jo Woodward saying at the time, "there was an interest to preserve the art and the unknown artist (known as the Rocky Bay 'Banksy' after the elusive British anti-authoritarian), as the entire community loved that."
The art was even included in an exhibition held at the hall opposite, with proceeds from the sale going towards running costs for the hall, which had again become the venue of choice in the absence of a structurally-sound store.
"The Rocky Bay Store is an emotional subject. I was uncomfortable removing the art, but I was more uncomfortable knowing what could happen if I didn't," said Jo in 2016.

Mel and Simon believe engagement with the community and hearing what locals want from the store rejig is a necessary precursor to a harmonious future. Simon says they will prioritise finding out "who in the community knows things". He says they are open to suggestions towards the site's future use—putting this notion into practice via a public consultation at a recent hui.

Around 50 civic-minded people joined Mel and Simon on a sunny Saturday to have their ideas considered. Opinion for the use of the space was varied. Many said they would like to see the re-introduction of a general store, selling anything from souvenirs to grocery staples. On the other side of the coin, some suggested a cooperative-style community housing project should be erected on the site.

Finding common ground "striking a balance between tourists and purists" is front-of-mind for Mel and Simon. Spending Monday and Friday largely away from the island post-renovation may lead to the store being leased out to a motivated custodian. Whatever the final outcome, Mel thinks the process from project start to completion will be extended. " We anticipate that we will get to know the council pretty well through this endeavour, working with them on what it means to work on a building with a heritage listing. This most likely means it will be quite some time before any building works start! In the meantime, we will probably move a caravan or similar onto the site. "
"It all helps us to form a vision for the work ahead", says Simon, who emphasises he and Mel are not daunted by the hard-yards involved: "people see problems-we see challenges."

They have set up a website, rockybaystore.co.nz and have begun blogging to keep those interested in following their journey abreast of new developments and involved in helping to mould their "passion project."

In the pipeline is a logo design, which will be affixed to t-shirts and other merchandise as a kickstarter to bring awareness to the store and its reawakening.

For now, the store sits idle,but with Mel and Simon's ardor, a phoenix should soon rise from its ashes.

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