The Matakana App
31 January 2020, 7:12 PM
The Puhoi Pub, a local institution, is on the market after 140 years. The historic pub has stood in place since 1879 and is among the oldest pubs in New Zealand.
This is the first opportunity to own this little slice of Kiwi history since 1962, when the pub was bought by Rodney and Dulcie Seymour, who passed it onto their daughter Gillian Seymour in 2001. Now, at 72 years of age, she feels she is ready to step back and hand it on to someone else.
The Puhoi Pub is being sold along with the six hectares of land it sits on, and the adjoining piece of land with the old stables buildings, another four hectare-block. The two-storey pub and hotel, which has a Historic Places Category Two listing, can sleep 14. The land, business and buildings are for sale by tender.
The council valuation for the pub is just under $1m, not including any business value, and the valuation for the block of land with the stables is $1.15m.
Rodney Seymour was the character who put the Puhoi Pub on the map, turning into the well-known, well-loved establishment it is today. His collection of pub culture memorabilia cannot be rivalled, and the pub is filled to the brim with history. Serving not only as a pub but also as a museum for the many people who have spent time here over the last 140 years, it is the unique home to many traditions such as the annual Puhoi Woodchopping Carnival.
Gillian Seymour is looking for the right buyers who will understand and respect how important the pub and all its quirks and traditions are to the community. Check out the listing here for more information. Photos - LJ Hooker