Locals in Whangamata woke to an unusual sight this morning – a corrugated iron shed adrift in the harbour near the mouth of the Wentworth River.
The “shed-barge,” as it’s quickly been dubbed on social media, was spotted drifting toward moored vessels before being secured by a quick-thinking boatie. “Rescued it before it collided with any moored boats,” the original Facebook post read, inviting the owner to identify it by describing the contents.
The post unleashed a stream of classic Kiwi humour. One commenter claimed the shed contained “a Georgian bedroom suite, a leather lazyboy rocker… and $60,000 in unmarked notes,” while another joked it was “a new social housing trial” or the “third time this month my garden shed has run away from home.” Others suggested it might be available for long-term rent or even belong to a floating “manshed” in the area.
The scene itself looked like something out of a small-town comedy – the dark steel structure perched on a raft of pontoons and wooden beams, tethered alongside a dinghy as if awaiting its next voyage. Against the backdrop of yachts and forested hills, it was a distinctly Kiwi blend of practicality and absurdity.
As a liveaboard myself, I have to admit my wife has been asking for something similar for quite some time. It’s the good-old Kiwi number 8 wire mentality at its best – making something functional, unique, and just a little bit cheeky.
While it’s unclear whether the structure was intentionally moored offshore or accidentally broke free, it’s not uncommon for unusual floating contraptions to appear in the harbour, especially after strong winds or shifting tides.
As one local put it, “Always something to watch in Whanga.” Whether it’s reunited with its owner or repurposed as a floating bach, the shed-barge has already earned a place in Whangamata’s growing collection of quirky maritime tales.
