A Brief History of the Harbour View Hotel

The first Harbour View Hotel was established by George Moon in 1866 at a time when Raglan was developing as a European-style settlement. Raglan's dependence on the sea and shipping for access created a need for accommodation and Moon, who was one of the district's entrepreneurs, saw an opportunity despite the existence of two other hotels in the town. 

Second Harbour View Hotel 1902

The first Harbour View Hotel faced south onto Bow Street, the main commercial street in Raglan. The hotel was two-storeyed with a single-storey extension back from the northwest corner making an L-shaped floor plan with restaurant and bars facing the street at ground floor level, and kitchens, storerooms and utility rooms at the rear. On the first floor are bedrooms, lounge and bathroom facilities for overnight guests. It had a stable building at the rear, and another small building to the east fronting onto Bow Street. 

Harbour View Hotel in Raglan with harbour in the background, looking across towards Te Akau

The hotel was described as 'an imposing ...edifice... anyone and everyone was welcome there. Guests could chat to Mrs Moon over a glowing baking fire in the spacious kitchen at the back, or they could discus the latest news with George on the shady verandah'. 

Harbour View Hotel circa 1930 with R. H. Cushman

The hotel's popularity and success encouraged the investment of another such local businessman, Arthur Langley, who bought the hotel in 1893, and a pair of Auckland businessmen, brothers L.D. and N.A. Nathan, who purchased the property in 1901. 

Harbour View Hotel circa 1940 (left) and recreation 2021 (right)

The Nathans re-built the hotel twice after its destruction by fire in 1901 and 1904, recognising its value in the small seaside town. The architect is believed to be the renowned Auckland architect John Currie, who designed several buildings for the Nathan family.

The fabric and appearance of the 1905 building are close to original with sympathetic alterations. The hotel has had several additions and alterations as fashions for drinking, dining and accommodation facilities have changed. On the interior, the first floor is close to original in room use and layout. 

Harbour View Hotel circa 1960

The ground floor has seen many alterations, primarily in the removal of walls to create larger spaces. It retains the original staircase with newel post and other decorative elements such as architraves, dado and cornices and the original rimu floor boards are exposed.

The hotel as a business has continued in the same main uses since 1866 providing accommodation, food and refreshments and entertainment. It has national, regional and local significance for its reflection of the history of hotel development and the hospitality industry.

The hotel was listed as a Category 11 historic place by the NZ Historic Places Pouhere Taonga Trust in 2009.

You can see the details of planned events on our special Celebration page:   

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https://www.harbourviewhotel.co.nz/events/120-year-celebration-festival/

A brief memoir by Grant Cushman

I lived in the hotel in the early years of my life (up to age 8). My grandparents (Reuben and Flo Cushman) took up the license of the hotel in 1926 and were followed by my parents (Harry and Eva Cushman) from 1945 until 1956. 

 The hotel has acquired many stories around its customers, including a man riding his horse up the stair case (verified by Sean Ellison as being true) and a local Maori chief staging a week-long protest sit-in in the hotel. Another was that in Easter 1978 the local Roman Catholic Church priest in James Street had to stop his church service because he could not hear himself heard from the music coming from the hotel.  

My memories of the hotel include: it being a place where our family flourished from being part of a connected community; together with my older brother, Mike, and twin brother, Brett, being cared for and guided by wonderful, local Maori women who were friends and worked at the hotel; our Karitane nurse, Pam Pegler, who still lives in Raglan; being a base from which to have the freedom to explore the outdoors and to get up to mischief especially with other local kids; the close friends gained from our time in Raglan (there were many and included the long serving local Doctor, Digger Penman, and his wife Madge and daughters, Mary and Leslie); and living so close to the Stephens bakery with its mouth watering produce and also Petchell’s next door. 

These memories and experiences have provided the foundation for my return to Raglan-Whaingaroa in my retirement years and to continue enjoying the amenities of the Harbour View Hotel (which includes having a beer with family and friends on the front verandah).