About The Kentish Hotel
The Kentish Hotel was built in 1851 by Edward Constable, an emigrant from Maidstone in Kent, and received Licence No. 47 on 10 January 1853. It calls itself New Zealand's oldest continuously licensed pub. Over the years it hosted Te Wherowhero, Sir George Grey, Richard Seddon, Sir Joseph Ward and William Massey, stayed open through the Waikato land wars of 1862–63 when it sat on a busy trade route, and survived a 1926 fire across the street because volunteers kept its facade wet.
It stands in central Waiuku near the entrance to the Waiuku harbor, opposite Tāmakae Reserve. The main bar opens daily from 11am until late, the Portside Restaurant serves from 11am to 9pm with views over the estuary, and bar snacks run until 8pm. Menus cover brunch, a seniors' lunch, daily specials, dinner, tapas and platters, desserts, high tea and takeaways, and a recent expansion added an outdoor Portside Bar facing the harbor and reserve. A 15% surcharge applies on public holidays.
The hotel also has ten original historic rooms, most with shared bathrooms. In October 2026 the website listed rates from NZ$90 for a single to NZ$220 for the deluxe ensuite queen. The hotel hosts live music, parties, weddings and functions; call to ask what is coming up.
Leafy Hollow Botanicals, a lavender garden that grows and distills its own lavender, is also based in Waiuku. It opens on set days for garden visits and workshops, so check its dates and plan dinner at the Kentish afterward.
What to do
- Have lunch or dinner in the Portside Restaurant overlooking the estuary
- Sit out at the Portside Bar facing Tāmakae Reserve
- Book a high tea or bottomless brunch
- Stay the night in one of the ten historic rooms
- Catch live music (check what's on)
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open year-round
- Hours
- 2026: main bar daily 11am–late; Portside Restaurant daily 11am–9pm; bar snacks 11am–8pm
Tips for your visit
- Expect a 15% surcharge on public holidays.
- Most rooms share bathrooms; book the deluxe ensuite queen if you want your own.
- Tables can be booked online; tell staff about allergies when ordering.
- Plan a designated driver if you are heading back to Auckland.
Pair it with a lavender farm
Leafy Hollow Botanicals · about 10 minutes away
Leafy Hollow Botanicals is also in Waiuku, about 10 minutes away; time a visit for one of its open days and finish with a meal at the Kentish.
Getting there
Questions
How old is the Kentish Hotel?
It was built in 1851 and licensed on 10 January 1853.
Can you stay at the Kentish Hotel?
Yes, it has ten historic rooms; rates listed in October 2026 ran from NZ$90 to NZ$220 a night.
What are the restaurant hours?
The Portside Restaurant is open daily 11am–9pm; the bar is open 11am until late.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of the Auckland Countryside, New Zealand
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
