Baches of the rich and famous

Well-known New Zealanders living abroad and locally escape to the beach for their summer holidays. Property reporter Alanah Eriksen looked at some of the baches of the rich and famous

Dean and Mandy Barker

They've just bought a do-up in Herne Bay, so Dean and Mandy Barker may not have much time to escape to their Rodney holiday home this year.

The Team NZ skipper and his wife, a former Black Sticks player, bought their three-bedroom bach for $2.32 million in February 2006.

Sitting on a 769sq m section, the 100sq m weatherboard home has less than half as much land as their new Auckland City digs.

But the sporting couple's four children have the beach at their back door to run around on.

Built in 1986, the one-storey, box-style house was valued at $2.3 million in 2011.

It's hidden down a long-driveway and decking at the rear overlooks the water.

The rates bill for the property this year was $6863.21.

Just 75km, or an hour's drive, from Auckland, the exclusive beachfront community of Omaha has become a favourite haunt of the rich, famous and powerful.

TV presenter Louise Wallace has a bach just a few doors down from the Barkers.

Other past and present homeowners include Prime Minister John Key, fashion designer Trelise Cooper, icecream queen Diane Foreman, former BBQ Factory owners Roger and Lorraine Richwhite, Navman founder Peter Maire, former Warehouse chief Ian Morrice, businessman Greg Muir and Silicon Valley entrepreneur Bill Buckley, food and wine writer Lauraine Jacobs and fertility medicine pioneer Richard Fisher.

The Barkers sold their renovated Herne Bay home this year for $5.8 million and bought a dated weatherboard next door for $4.1 million - $600,000 above valuation.

They also own a home in Pt Chevalier.

Richie McCaw

It built his holiday home and now Richie McCaw is the face of Christchurch-based construction company Versatile.

The captain of the All Blacks bought a 1207sq m section at Wanaka, a few streets over from the beach, in March, 2010 for $295,000.

The 32-year-old then had a 211sq m home with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car garage built on the land.

The house has an open-plan living and dining area, white walls and beige carpets. A breakfast bar with stools adorns the kitchen, along with a stainless-steel fridge and oven.

Wooden decking at the rear shows a barbecue and seating for entertaining.

The company's website said McCaw had selected its Carrington plan from 40 designs, making a few changes to suit his needs.

"Since then - after knocking off a few other milestones - Richie has made a few updates to his new home, with the Versatile team installing a new fireplace to make his lounge the perfect spot to entertain the team."

The company, for which McCaw acts as an ambassador, also built a new large garage at his parents' home in Canterbury.

McCaw's agent, Dean Hegan, said he wanted to stay out of the media spotlight and enjoy his summer holidays.

He also owns property at Omarama and two homes in Christchurch.

Lorde

She became an overnight millionaire, but singing sensation Lorde is hoping to have a chance to relax at her parents' $410,000 beach home this summer.

The 17-year-old Royals singer - real name Ella Yelich-O'Connor - was 6 when her parents, poet Sonja Yelich and civil engineer Victor O'Connor, bought their two-bedroom bach at an idyllic North Island spot.

Mr O'Connor said the house was "our little sanctuary".

Growing up, Lorde and her three siblings frequented the house. The star is estimated to be worth at least $4 million after signing a publishing deal with Songs Music Publishing (SMP) last month.

Rhys Darby

Funnyman Rhys Darby's holiday home isn't your typical Kiwi bach.

The Flight of the Conchords star and wife Rosie Carnahan paid $4.5 million for the Rodney mansion in 2010.

The 480sq m, five-bedroom main house and two cottages sit on a 5.3365ha section.

Named Karaka House, the three-level pad was built by The Thompson Twins, Alannah Currie and Tom Bailey, in 1993. They sold it for $2 million in 1997. It was then bought by an expat interior designer based in London, who sold it to Darby.

The 39-year-old and his comedy producer wife - parents of two boys - rent the property to holidaymakers through Bachcare.

The property has its own beach, wrap-around decking and extensive sea views, according to the company website.

The master suite is fitted with a king bed, fireplace, walk-in wardrobe, and large french doors that open on to decking.

Rates were $10,855.12 this year.

Darby and his family have been living in the United States this year, but also own a four-bedroom home in Grey Lynn which he bought in 2009 for $1,021,500. It is now worth $1.28 million.

Darby, a Herald columnist and former soldier, shot to fame for his role as the nerdy manager Murray Hewitt in the hit HBO series Flight of the Conchords.

Graeme Hart

Graeme Hart's modern white mansion sits on sections he bought on Church Bay Rd, Waiheke Island, in 2004 and 2005 for more than $16 million.

Waiheke Island is the perfect hideaway for New Zealand's richest man.

Packaging magnate Graeme Hart's holiday home is well hidden on neighbouring sections on Church Bay Rd, near Oneroa, which he bought in 2004 and 2005 for a combined $16.3 million.

The modern white beachfront mansion has a guest wing, swimming pool and pool house.

The titles come under the company name Church Bay Farm, of which he is a director with one of his chief advisers, Greg Cole.

The 58-year-old owns four other pieces of land nearby, which he bought for a total of $9.8 million between 1999 and 2007, bringing his total Waiheke portfolio to $26.2 million.

His rates bill for all the properties this year was more than $70,000.

Hart - worth $6.4 billion on last year's National Business Review Rich List - also owns a $22 million 878sq m clifftop mansion on Riddell Rd in Auckland's Glendowie. It includes guest quarters, a summer house, sleepout, pool and spa, tennis court and playground.

He and wife Robyn bought the land in 1995 for $2 million and built the house over a number of years.

Phil Keoghan

Phil Keoghan may be a regular face on American television, but the Kiwi host of

The Amazing Race

still has time to enjoy the New Zealand coast.

The eight-time Emmy winner has owned a beachfront holiday home in the Coromandel since December 2002.

He bought the 298sq m weatherboard structure for $1.475 million when the valuation was $940,000. It now has a CV of $1.8 million.

Built in 1990, the brown, two-storey house has five bedrooms, one bathroom and ceiling-to-floor windows at the rear that look out to the beach. It sits on a 1011sq m section.

Keoghan, 46, also owns the 657sq m vacant section in front of the house which he bought at the same time to ensure his family's privacy.

The star is based in Santa Monica with his wife, Louise, with whom he has a teenage daughter, Elle.

During a charity bike ride in 2009, Keoghan told a newspaper he visited New Zealand in between filming commitments up to 12 times a year.

He had been spending Christmas on the Coromandel Peninsula since 1989.

"We started coming here when Louise's family established a house here and it's become a tradition," he said. "All of the family comes."

The family enjoy cycling, waterskiing and wakeboarding.

In 2011, the presenter led a protest of 1500 people against development at New Chums Beach.

Born in Lincoln, near Christchurch, Keoghan is best known for hosting the US version of The Amazing Race, in which couples compete to complete challenges around the world. It made its debut in 2001. He also created No Opportunity Wasted.