Our Story

The historical building was built in 1911 as a Bank Of New Zealand. The original bank vault is now used as the small chiller behind the bar and the only original BNZ glass window left is on display in the BNZ dining room.

In 1936 it was bought by Evan Davies who owned Davies Trading building (across the road)and was used by his son-in-law as a family home. In 1948 it was turned into a Hotel by Dick Ferrick the first Publican for Pongaroa.

At one time during the early settlement years in the latter half of the 19th century, the township was much larger as there was anticipation that the Masterton to Napier Railway would run through Pongaroa. However, eventually the railway cut through Pahiatua and thus that township grew, whilst Pongaroa remained a farming community. Pongaroa is still serviced daily by rural deliveries from Pihiatua, Dannevirke and Eketahuna, a Police Station, a primary school, an Early Childhood Centre and Playgroup, a volunteer Ambulance & Fire Service, a Cafe and General Store, a Hotel, a Service Station, a Farm Centre and a Self Service Fuel Station, lying as it does on a popular alternative all sealed Route 52 from Masterton to Waipukurau. Pongaroa’s claim to fame is as the birthplace of scientist Maurice Wilkins (DNA). Pongaroa village has a population of about 30, with the surrounding farms bring the total population to about 300 people.