The Kentish Hotel facts for kids
The Kentish Hotel is a famous old hotel in Waiuku, New Zealand. It's special because it claims to have the longest-running permission to sell drinks to adults in the whole country! This hotel has been a popular spot in the Franklin District since it first got its special permission in 1853.
A Look Back: The Hotel's History
The Kentish Hotel was built way back in 1851 by Edward Constable. He came all the way from Maidstone, England. Mr. Constable then asked the government for a special permit to run a public hotel. On January 10, 1853, he received Licence No. 47. This very same permit is still active today, which is why the hotel says it has the longest continuous permit in New Zealand!
For a very long time, the Kentish Hotel has been a key part of life in Waiuku. It sits right in the middle of town, close to the Waiuku harbor. Across the road is the popular Tamakae Reserve, which is home to the Waiuku Museum and other cool places.
Famous Visitors and Busy Times
The Constables made sure everyone knew about their hotel. They even advertised it on the front page of the New Zealander, which was the most popular newspaper back then. Soon, travelers started telling their friends about the Kentish Hotel, and it became super popular. Even important people visited, like the Māori King Te Whero Whero, Governor Sir George Grey, and New Zealand Prime Ministers Richard Seddon, Sir Joseph Ward, and William Massey.
The hotel was in a great spot along a main trade route. This route connected the new city of Auckland with the rich farming lands of the Waikato region. Because of this, the Kentish Hotel did very well. It even managed to stay open during the difficult times of the land wars in the Waikato, which started around 1862-1863.
Surviving Challenges and Growing Stronger
In 1926, the hotel almost burned down! A fire destroyed a block of wooden buildings right across the street. As the wind blew the flames closer, many volunteers rushed to help. They poured water and hung wet sheets over the hotel's front, saving most of the building from serious damage.
More recently, the Kentish Hotel has added a popular outdoor area. From here, you can look out over the harbor and the Tamakae Reserve. In 2012, the hotel faced some financial difficulties, which meant its long-held permit was temporarily affected.
