Puketapu Hotel
What makes your venue the Best Gastropub in New Zealand?
What we find most rewarding with being a pub that is situated outside of town is it becomes a destination, and a destination for so many outside of the region, as well as the country.
We love hearing stories of how they have returned to visit us many years later, reuniting with friends and family. This is the essence of our pub, our people.
We have incredible local support and regulars, in which staff know exactly what drink they're pouring before being asked. However our reach is far and wide. Customers throughout the region when The Puketapu is mentioned in conversation only have positive things to say, often in reference to the food and the generous sizes or great value. Our staff are not only hard working, which they must be to keep up with the demand that those busy days can bring but are an incredible team. They connect well with each other and the flow on effect of that to our customers is obvious. Positive and warm upon arrival and with attention to service, communication and with a friendly disposition, our staff are a credit to our operation. Our team grew stronger after our Pub was closed for 4 ½ months proceeding the damaging effects of Cyclone Gabrielle. They not only helped in the rebuild by picking up the tools but also to many in our community who were effected by this event.
We were, before the cyclone that devastated our region, a pit stop along the Hawkes Bay cycle tracks, and as such we would have many bicycles parked up, alongside the motorbikes. Diversity in our clientele is embraced and celebrated and something in which we truly believe contributes to everyone feeling welcomed.
We have all walks of life, young and old, all with their favourite meals that they keep coming back for. Including locals that have been cut off by our bridge being wiped out. They now walk across so they can still enjoy time at their local
“I remember this great spot on "sunday rides" and then bringing my dog and family to enjoy the courtyard while enjoying the amazing food, dog water tubs provided”.
Describe the experience your customers have at your establishment – what is your food and beverage offering and why do people come back for more?
"oh your menu is huge" A key point of difference to many other establishments in the region. Offering half portions for our Fish and chips, Roast Pork and Lambs fry and Bacon that are most favored by our older demographic. We have a generous selection of "small bites" options, most suited to enjoying as a shared option amongst a group or to accompany a beverage as a lighter meal. Those that are using the pub as a quick stop in often lean towards our Toastie's which for less than $7 and pick your own fillings are a huge hit! The classics such as our Schnitzel and of course our famous Puketapu Burger are enjoyed by many every day but we have daily deals that run throughout the week when such meals are on offer as a two for $30.
Along with great value, variety and using local suppliers to provide fresh hearty meals we are proud of the great reputation we hold.
Such testimonials are shared online with our Facebook page that is rapidly growing to reflect the number of happy patrons that enjoy our establishment and gives confidence to others that have yet to experience our premises. Some of those comments are below
“highly recommend the Puketapu for dining/drinking and atmosphere, amazing”
“My mate and myself are coming up from Shannon just for dinner”
“Had a lovely meal in there on Saturday night with friends. Awesome food and great friendly service”
"Thank you for a great night! It was so good to catch up with everyone, the food was amazing and our boys felt pretty tickled pink with seeing Santa.
We are so appreciative of everything the Puketapu Pub has done to bring our community together"
Tell us how you showcase NZ produce / offerings? Does your menu change with the season and how is it locally influenced. How do you accommodate allergy and dietary requirements?
We promote locally sourced beverages and food. By using a rotating Tap supporting other businesses with Hawkes Bay such as Three Wise Birds through to our produce being sourced from local growers and our Wine mainly coming from within Hawkes Bay including several wineries effected by the Cyclone. And after all Hawkes Bay is renowned for its quality! Our menu is updated and changed with the season promoting the freshness of ingredients. A long with special menus for the likes of large Christmas bookings. And our Catering menu for those special occasions whether it be Weddings, milestone birthdays and many more. We also take Allergy and Dietary requirements very seriously and have had special mentions in groups such as Coeliac NZ FB as shown below. We use different prep spaces, fryers and ensure there is no cross contamination. We are currently catering for a full Coeliac menu for an upcoming wedding within the region.
"Have highlighted your awesome attitude on the celiac NZ and HB FB pages!"
What are your key points of difference and how have you managed to deliver them?
We love our diversity and as such cater to everyone as best we can, there are various sitting spots, cushions upon request for the bonier of bottoms, tables accommodating of a couple, through to large bookings.
Being generous in size, with different zones such as the more intimate quiet dining area to the open hustle and bustle of the bar and then Garden Bar we are able to accommodate everyone. From the busy weekend crowds to Christmas parties of 80 or more people, funerals, birthdays and reunions.
We have hosted weddings, receptions, bands with room for dancing and formal degustation's with local wine makers and Gin companies. While we have a fantastic following within Hawkes Bay, many that come through our doors have come from further a field and as such we have an awesome range of branded merchandise to purchase. Obviously popular amongst the ''out of towners'' we also have found many locals appreciate the opportunity to rock a Puketapu shirt or cap. We have received pictures of our merchandise being worn with pride as far as the USA and Europe.
Best Known for:
Garden bar
Located along the Hawkes Bay Cycle Trail
Please describe your commitment to sustainability.
At The Puketapu we are big on keeping things as sustainable as possible. By reducing our carbon footprint by sourcing as much as possible of our ingredients locally within our region to recycling as much as we can including all our food waste. None of this ends up in the Landfill but is used to feed local farm animals. We are constantly looking at ways to reduce this even further and keeping clean and green.
Have you won any awards in the recent past? Tell us about them.
Traditional Pub of the year in 2011 in the Hawkes Bay Hospitality Awards
Outstanding Local in 2013 in the Hawkes Bay Hospitality Awards
Outstanding Regional Establishment of the Year in 2021 Hawkes Bay Hospitality Awards
Outstanding Regional Establishment Finalist of the Year in 2022 Hawkes Bay Hospitality Awards
Finalist in Most Resilient Business at Hawkes Bay Business Awards 2023
Stuff Most Loved Local 2023 Winner
Bartender or Publican Mary Danielson
Puketapu Hotel Regional Winner for Hawkes Bay/Gisborne
Please describe how you create ambience.
A huge part of the ambience of our establishment is created by the use of natural timbers, earthy tones and rustic decor. This is an acknowledgement of the history to that our pub has in the community, where in the early days it accommodated the local farmers, working on the surrounding land. Providing a space to unwind after a long day and to connect with friends, this Pub was a place to be comfortable. Obviously elevated over the years while keeping true to the roots that once was.
We have huge bifold windows that open up to the picnic tables outside, when the umbrellas are up, on a sunny day the visual impact this has from the roadside and how inviting it is to be able to see through into the pub is a great addition.
A huge supporter of the events that take over our nation such as the Rugby World Cup we ensure that there is a gesture given towards this in way of our decor. We have specials that reflect the event, whether by way of a themed cocktail, giveaways or meal deals.
There is always background music filling the quieter times or ramped up to get a good time going in the evenings. Acknowledging how much music contributes to the ambience of our establishment we host regular 'Sunday Sessions'' supporting local artists who perform live in the Garden Bar. Periodically we have ticketed events and every second Saturday of the month, a live band takes over for the evening. Always hugely popular with patrons mingling and dancing the night away. And we are famous for our yearly Mechanical Bull Riding night which sells out every time!
