PHOTO: Amanda Aitken and Celeste Blakesley have been running Castlepoint Hotel -The Whakataki since MarchPhoto credit:PHOTO/SUPPLIED
The new operators of one of Wairarapa’s best-known country pubs say they are fighting bureaucracy rather than serving customers, with licensing delays leaving the business unable to sell alcohol months after taking over.
Amanda Aitken and Celeste Blakesley, who assumed the lease of the Castlepoint Hotel – The Whakataki in March, say they have encountered repeated administrative hurdles while attempting to secure new on- and off-licences for the rural hotel.
The historic pub has remained alcohol-free since the beginning of the year after the previous operators lost their licences following breaches of New Zealand’s liquor laws.
Despite being assured their application would be assessed independently of the former operators, Aitken says the process has been anything but straightforward.
“We were told we’d be treated with a clean slate, but then immediately questioned about how we’d operate differently from the previous owners,” she said.
According to the pair, every request from the council has been met promptly, with updated policies, staff training documentation and operational procedures supplied whenever requested.
However, they claim each council response has arrived at the latest possible time allowed under legislation, often bringing another delay rather than progress.
Four Months Waiting for a Decision
The licence application was lodged around 16 weeks ago, but the process has continued to drag on.
Just weeks after submitting their paperwork, the application was reportedly returned because supporting documents had been provided in black and white rather than colour, requiring the pair to resubmit.
Although the applicants have previous hospitality experience, liquor licensing qualifications and have successfully passed police vetting, an objection from the Chief Medical Officer regarding suitability was also raised before later being withdrawn.
With no remaining public objections, Aitken and Blakesley expected the application to be decided “on the papers” — a process commonly used where there are no outstanding issues.
Instead, the District Licensing Committee (DLC) has directed the application to a formal hearing.
The Whakataki in rural Masterton cannot currently serve alcohol.
PHOTO/PIERS FULLER
Hearing Set for August
The hearing is now scheduled for 4 August, approximately 18 weeks after the original application was lodged.
Even after the hearing, a written decision could still take several more weeks, meaning the business remains unable to serve alcohol throughout the peak winter period.
The operators say the delays are placing significant financial pressure on the business.
Without alcohol sales — traditionally one of the largest revenue streams for country hotels — they have continued operating while absorbing ongoing losses.
More Than Just a Pub
For residents of Whakataki and the surrounding coastal district, the issue extends well beyond hospitality.
Aitken says the hotel serves as an important gathering place where locals meet, organise community events and simply connect with one another.
In small rural communities where social isolation can be a genuine concern, she believes keeping the venue fully operational has broader community benefits.
Council Responds
When questioned about the delays, Masterton District Council said the District Licensing Committee operates independently of the council itself.
The council said its role is limited to providing administrative support.
It confirmed the Commissioner had determined that a formal hearing was necessary to ensure the application met the requirements of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, rather than deciding the application based solely on the submitted documentation.
However, the council did not address questions regarding whether any current objections remain or respond directly to the applicants’ concerns about the licensing process.
Rural Business Left Waiting
The case highlights the challenges businesses can face when navigating regulatory processes, particularly when taking over premises that have previously experienced compliance issues.
For now, Aitken and Blakesley remain hopeful the August hearing will finally allow them to begin operating the historic country hotel as intended — with locals once again able to enjoy a drink at one of Wairarapa’s longstanding community hubs.
SOURCE: RNZ