our story
The story of Butlers Reef is intricately intertwined with story of Oakura itself. Butlers has been interwoven into the Oakura community cloth for over 150 years… if only the walls could talk, the exploits and shenanigans they would tell!
Your local’s local along Surf Highway 45, has forever been a ‘hub’ for our tight-nit village to enjoy good times, good food and even better drinks! Established as ‘Oakura Hotel’, built and operated by Richard Jury in the 1860s, the hotel been home to several hotels and undergone significant ‘face-lifts’. The early 1900’s is when ‘Butlers Reef Hotel’ came to be… and the name has stuck.
Fast-foward to now, the iconic pub is owned and operated by two Taranaki locals, Myken and Will Rowland (us!) who have grown up with the pub as our ‘go-to spot.’
With a firm nod to the pub’s original charm and character, we want to pay tribute to it’s story. We want it to be a special place for locals to ‘chew the fat’ over a beer or bring the family on a sunny day.
We look forward to seeing you there!
