Simon's A to Z

As early as 1834 the temperance alliance was active in New Zealand, and that was long before any drinking houses were established although "grog" was introduced in the 1820's. For all that, hotels and pubs, especially in smaller settlements, are places where a community comes together. And the history of these places is often fascinating. It's difficult to determine exactly when the first New Zealand hotel was established. There are many claimants, but we have found three heritage hotels in very small towns around the country, and we visit them on New Zealand A to Z.