HOPS & HISTORY
Their tales are varied and long, and get longer with each telling, writes Juliette Sivertsen
If you ask which pub is the oldest in New Zealand, be prepared for a hotly contested debate on the matter. There are several that like to claim this title, depending on how you define “oldest pub”. Is it the date of the building? Or the date of its first liquor licence? Has it been a continuous pub throughout history or was there a break? Is it a pub, a tavern or a hotel?
We’re not here to judge what defines the oldest pub in New Zealand, but here are a few with some pretty good claims to fame.
Moutere Inn, Upper Moutere
Set in the fertile Moutere Valley, the Moutere Inn is considered the heart of the village and proudly states it’s the oldest pub in New Zealand, dating back to 1850. These days, the establishment offers a variety of craft beers on tap and sources all its wines within 10km of the premises. moutereinn.co.nz
The Duke, Russell
The Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Russell began in 1827 as “Johnny Johnston’s Grog Shop”, named after its ex-convict owner. Originally frequented by whalers, traders and prostitutes, the establishment was renamed the
Duke of Marlborough, and gained its first licence in 1840 after the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. That makes it the first legal pub in New Zealand.
Today, the menu showcases locally sourced seasonal produce and has more than 100 wines and 30 beers to choose from. theduke.co.nz
Horeke Hotel, Hokianga
The Horeke Hotel also claims to be the oldest surviving pub in New Zealand, with a history dating back to 1833, even though it wasn’t legally licensed back then.
Situated on the waterfront of Hokianga Harbour, it originally served the shipbuilders working in the area. It’s now a fully licensed restaurant and bar with accommodation, including a “house over the water”, which was built in 1923. horekehotel.nz
Whangamomona Hotel, Taranaki
This Taranaki hotel on the Forgotten World Highway lauds itself as the most remote country hotel in New Zealand.
The hotel was actually used as a hospital during the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic. The current hotel is the second built on the site, after the first burnt down in 1911. The kitchen coal range was the only thing that survived the fire, and the new hotel was built around it. whangamomonahotel.co.nz
The Thistle Inn, Wellington
The Thistle Inn claims to have received the second liquor licence ever issued in New Zealand. Its original incarnation as a tavern dates back to 1840, however it was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1866. It’s now a Category One historic building.
The Thistle Inn has had many a famous character stay during its history, including regular visits by Katherine Mansfield, and one of the meeting rooms is named after her. A poem by Mansfield now hangs on the wall. thistleinn.co.nz