Last orders called as long-time country pub owners place their tavern up for sale

A classic Kiwi country pub in the heart of an environmental and ecological tourism region is up for sale for the first time in 27 years as its owners prepare to pursue their lifelong dreams.

Collingwood Tavern situated in Golden Bay at the top of the South Island has been run by husband and wife operators David and Heather Hovenden since 1976 – with the couple buying the waterfront hospitality venue in 1983.

Since then the Hovendens have continually invested in the tavern through numerous renovations and refurbishments – increasing customer facilities and making the most of the venue’s seaside location which attracts large throngs of tourists over the summer months and is a hub of the community during winter.

At the western end of State Highway 60, Collingwood is a small town at the entrance to a range of eco’ tourism activities, which include the Heaphy Track in Kahurangi National Park, Farewell Spit and its bird sanctuary, mountain biking around Aorere Valley or the seal colony on Wharariki Beach.

However, after pulling thousands of pints, serving countless meals, and becoming pillars of the local community, David – or Tinky as he is known to Collingwood locals – and Heather have decided to call ‘last orders’ and sell up before heading on what they plan will be a year-long tour around New Zealand in a camper van.

Their Collingwood Tavern is being marketed for sale by Bayleys Nelson. Sales consultant David Jeffery said food and beverage revenue streams for the Collingwood Tavern were derived from the bar, ancillary bottle store, restaurant, and commercial kitchen - which doubled up as the town’s takeaway fish and chip outlet.

The tavern overlooks the whitebait-filled Ruataniwha inlet, with further views out to Mount Burnett and the Wakamarama Ranges. Mr Jeffery said the 540 square metre tavern sat on 2142 square metres of land – including the lawns and garden bar area, hard parking area and a paved utility space. In addition to the tavern, the property has a four-bedroom owner’s residence above the business.

“As with any successful country pub, Tinky, Heather and the Collingwood Tavern have become the heart of the community. They host virtually all the sports clubs in the area, community groups hold meetings in the bar, they sponsor all sorts of organisations, and do anything they can to ensure Collingwood remains a thriving, family-orientated place to live and work,” said Mr Jeffery.