The historic Puhoi Pub is under new ownership, and they’re hoping to reopen in time for Puhoi Heritage Day celebrations, June 29.

The names of the new owners are yet to be announced.

The Puhoi Pub has remained closed since lockdown, as social distancing rules would have been hard to enforce in the environment of such a small, local pub.

The pub has a rich history, providing a place for locals to drink and socialise for 140 years. 

Puhoi Heritage Day is a day to acknowledge and celebrate the origins of Puhoi, and the history that lives on to this day. The township will be celebrating the anniversary of the arrival of the first group of settlers from Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic. 83 pioneers spent 107 days at sea without touching land on the War Spirit before arriving on June 29, 1863.

Local Maori chief Te Hemara Tauhia gave them food and showed them how to live off the land. Clearing the bush for pasture provided income. Firewood, kauri roof shingles and logs were sold in Auckland.

Eighty-three settlers had left Europe in 1863, and more followed until by the 1870s about 200 Bohemians lived at Puhoi.

There are still many descendants of these first settlers living in Puhoi today.