Beautiful in all its different moods

Whether it's a stormy day or a beaut, Reverend Bob Schuster loves the vista of Lake Rotoiti from his lounge.

And that's despite the current high lake level meaning there is no beach beyond his lawn and the water is encroaching on the green grass.

"This bach has been in the family since the 1920s," he said.

"And I'll hand it down but a lot of people are after this section, maybe not the house but definitely the land."

Mr Schuster moved into the modest bach after his wife, Emily, died in 1997. The bach has been in his wife's family for almost a century - it was once owned by Guide Rangi - and has been passed down the generations. The Schusters had six children "so there's plenty of relatives" it could go to but the eldest will have first refusal.

Mr Schuster is originally from Matata but started coming to Rotoiti as a teenager. He's lived in Rotorua at Whakarewarewa Village but he loves his current abode by the lake.

"I prefer to be here than in town," he said.

"Town is too busy and people are always knocking on your door. This is the life out here. Over summer, I can see people out waterskiing, on boats, all sorts.

"It's been quite busy but I think the weather's driven a few away. Over the holidays, my grandchildren came down [20 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren], I have trouble remembering all their names - but some live in Australia so they weren't all here. They come around and go swimming - this year they brought a jetski and we had a hangi for Christmas Day."

Mr Schuster is semi-retired, and although no longer a reverend canon, still does the odd service, as well as mowing lawns when the weather is good.

He loves nothing more than whiling away the day looking at the lake. "When it's calm, it's beautiful but now [when it's stormy] it's showing a different side. First thing in the morning, I see the lake.

"I love the fishing here. There are lots of fishing areas and I love looking across the lake and seeing the native bush."