Castlepoint Hotel - The Whakataki

12/08/2026

See you this weekend!

10/08/2026

We’re on the hunt for an experienced barhand to join our team at The Whakataki.

If you’re friendly, reliable, and know your way around a busy bar, we’d love to hear from you. We’re based in a beautiful rural coastal location, and accommodation is available for the right person.

If this sounds like you (or someone you know), send us a message or flick us an email.

Come and be part of something special on the Castlepoint Coast.

08/08/2026

Huge thanks to Cams Flooring Ltd for the fresh new carpet in our Bach!
Just in time to house our guests when we open next weekend.
It was a small job but his friendly team smashed it out, were quick, polite and professional!
Cheers guys!

07/08/2026

17/07/2026

Thanks Emily. We appreciate you taking the time to share this nightmare with the public

The battle to get beer flowing again at a historic coastal Wairarapa pub has been stalled by a wall of bureaucratic red tape.

13/07/2026

Well, what a surprise... we've been stalled yet again.

We've now been advised that the District Licensing Committee wants to hold a hearing to confirm our policies before making a decision on our licence application. This is despite our application reaching the Committee with no remaining objections, after all previously lodged objections were withdrawn.

The earliest hearing date available is 7 August.

To say we're disappointed would be an understatement. Every delay means more wages, more overheads, more bills, and more financial pressure while we're unable to operate as intended. We continue to go backwards financially through no fault of our own, and every extra week puts our staff and our business at greater risk.

From our perspective, requiring a hearing at this stage feels unnecessary and is incredibly frustrating, particularly given the time we've already spent navigating repeated delays throughout this process.

We know so many of you have been looking forward to seeing the pub back open, and we're just as eager to get the doors open properly. We genuinely appreciate the incredible support, encouragement and patience our community has shown us. It means more than you know.

We'll keep fighting our way through the process and will continue to keep everyone updated. Thank you for sticking with us, we're determined to get there, even if it feels like every hurdle possible has been put in our way.

07/07/2026

See ya Saturday

04/07/2026

We’re back with another update… and unfortunately once again, it’s not the one we were hoping to share.

Our licence application decision has been delayed yet again. This is completely outside of our control. Every document, requirement and request from our end was completed within the required timeframe. Despite that, the council process continues to drag on.

The frustrating part is that delays like this don’t just affect paperwork, they have real consequences. Every extra day spent waiting means more financial pressure on our small business while we sit ready to open. Clearly the people making these decisions don’t have to wear the cost of the delays, but we certainly do.

We’ve now been told we should have a decision within the next 10 days… but we’re not holding our breath.

The good news is that we will be open on Matariki Saturday for meals. (Times TBC)
At this stage we’ll be operating as a restaurant only while we wait for our licence.

If the process finally moves a little quicker than it has so far, we’ll let everyone know straight away and, hopefully, we’ll be able to serve you a beer or wine with your meal too.

Thank you to everyone who’s supported us and kept asking when we’ll be open. Your patience and encouragement have meant the world. We can’t wait to welcome you through the doors properly.

08/06/2026

We hope you all are safe and dry out there guys.
And if you aren't, please do not hesitate to come on over and we will find you a bed.
Celeste: 020 451 6547
As always, fur babies also welcome!

01/06/2026

We're pretty humbled to be featured alongside so many hardworking and inspiring local women in the recent Wairarapa Times-Age "Women in Business" feature. 🌟

Although we're only at the beginning of our journey with the Castlepoint Hotel, we're excited about the future and what this special place can become.

From day one, our goal has been simple, to create a welcoming spot that locals are proud to call their own and visitors enjoy returning to, while contributing positively to the community that makes Castlepoint such a unique place.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. Whether you've stopped in for a meal, shared one of our posts, offered advice, lent a hand, or simply been patient as we work through the challenges that come with taking on a business like this, we truly appreciate it.

Thank you to the Wairarapa Times-Age for the feature and for celebrating the incredible women making a difference throughout our region.

Amanda & Celeste