Happy Birthday Puke

This month the Pukemanu tavern celebrates its 35th birthday.

The Pukemanu was the New Zealand’s first neighbourhood tavern, a new style neighbourhood tavern concept as envisaged by the 1974 Royal Commission into the liquor industry. Being first of a new generation of hotels the opening of the Pukemanu created much interest both within and outside the industry.

The Pukemanu replaced the 80 year old Club Hotel which previously stood on the site and the name was taken from the very successful television series ‘Pukemanu’ which was shot in the old hotel.

The planned new taverns were described as ‘a new type of establishments to take social drinking and eating into a new dimension for particular neighbourhood communities into which they will fit easily’. Martinborough was chosen as being just such a community which would appreciate a comfortable, club like atmosphere tavern. Time has surely proven this to be correct.

A Lotta Roast Pork

The annual Pukemanu Pig Hunt competition was held at the Pukemanu Tavern on Sunday afternoon, 26th August. 40 pigs were weighed in  – the largest being 184 kilos and the winner Gerry Venverg, the average weight was 104 Kilos. There were some mean looking Dudes (and I am talking about the pigs) with very large tusks that I would not want to meet while on a bush walk.
 
Quite a few rabbits/hares as well were on display which would please the farming community.
 
Next year is the 20th anniversary of this event and it is going to be a big one – with a party at the Puke on Saturday night.
 
The pig hunt to me personifies what Martinborough is – outside the Tavern are the pigs hanging up, utes with mud all over them and dogs in the bag, quad bikes and the hunting, fishing blokes. Drive half way round the square and outside the restaurants of the West side of the square are the BMW’s and shiny Remuera taxis……  Viva la difference.
Gay Reed

Hand Clapping, Foot Tapping Crowd Pleaser

MADCAPS have used Martinborough Town Hall for their performances since 1982. It was fitting that they dedicated this year’s performance to the centenary of the Hall.  Stalwart supporters of saving the Hall, Chairperson, Jim Clark wrote in the programme “… enjoy the show in what is a very special building, one that could never be replaced…Enjoy the atmosphere and acoustics of this great auditorium and sit back as we entertain”. ENTERTAIN they did!

Sentimental Journey was the show’s theme; taken from the popular song of 1944, it took us on a slick, fast paced, decade by decade, musical journey from 1912 to 2012. Producers, Mary Smith and Pat Houghton, selected well known melodies from each decade. Their choices captured and engaged the audience right from the opening bars of Sentimental Journey, the introductory melody. … Continue Reading