Memories flowed like cold beer in the old public bar when more than 70 people, including many a former patron, gathered at Friday's farewell for the Kaikohe Hotel.
Only the oldest section of the 120-year-old hotel was still standing, and that too was slowly being dismantled.
Speakers included district councillorSally Macauley and husband Peter, lawyer and St John area committee chairman, who in 1970 spent their first night in Northland at the town's bustling 'old girl'. That first impression of the town persuaded them to stay.
Cr Macauley recounted some of the pub's milestones, such as the lunch visit by newly-crowned Queen Elizabeth on December 28, 1953, and the end of six o'clock closing in 1967, to its decline in the 1990s and 2000s. She also spoke of her regret that the hotel had not been granted historic protection when it turned 100.
Mr Macauley described the pub as his turangawaewae during his first years in Kaikohe. He recalled the "absolute legends" who could be found propping up the bar most nights, the founding of the Kaikohe Lions over a few pints in 1965 and the infamous 4am Club, so named because its members could not leave before 4am.
"There's a lot of history in this place. It's a crying shame to see it reduced to a state where it will no longer grace the main street," he said.
Kaumatua Te Wati Erueti remembered his time as a barman under long-time manager Colin McKenzie, and working his way up to a job behind the private bar.
After a blessing by Ratana minister William Smith and Anglican reverend Kuini Matene, the crowd walked to the Bank Bar for a final drink in honour of their old watering hole and a fundraising auction of hotel memorabilia, which raised $1500 for Kaikohe St John.
Kaikohe teacher Margaret Cassidy had eyes for only one lot, a slab of rimu salvaged from the hotel rafters, which had been polished and carved by Waipapa craftsman Josh Douglas. Reputed to be around 800 years old, the slab sold for $620, Margaret saying she had been determined not to go home without it.
