Okains Bay Library

In the early days around Banks Peninsula, boozing and other lawless activities prevailed. Thanks to the local vicar, this small wooden building was constructed in May of 1860 as an alternative to the otherwise debauched state of affairs. A local farmer purchased the land and solicited the help of a friend to collect about two hundred books within the first year and placed another five hundred on order from England.

In later years, visits from the Country Library Service van served as the ice-cream truck for eager readers of Okains Bay, who would gather and wait for the latest reading material. Neither the structure nor its interior has undergone much renovation since it was first established, but it was never really visited for the spectacle of it. No need to bother—the backdrop of rolling green hills takes care of that.

The best part about the Okains Bay heritage buildings is their foundation of community spirit, as they are run by locals who pour their hearts into preserving this slice of Kiwi history. By all appearances, the photo bombing cows are either waiting for the Service van’s next delivery of mystery novels or count themselves as valuable members of that literary collective.

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