ALL ABOUT
AWAKINO HOTEL
The Awakino Hotel was established in 1904, as a boarding house and tea house. It was built right along the Awakino river as a place to stop and rest, usually while moving cattle. If the river was flooded or something postponed their travels, there was always a place to rest.
In 1957, the extension was built - the bar!
Prohibition in the Waikato region prompted this decision. The Waikato territory coincidentally begins across the river.
Since then, the Awakino Hotel has been a hub of activity - hosting all sorts of events. Speed shears, hunting competitions, fishing competitions, weddings, many a rock band. Parties and local quiz nights.
Some of the our more interesting events include the wheelbarrow derby. Teams of 2 would raced from Mokau to Awakino (over 5km!) doing the human wheelbarrow. Another noteworthy event was the Awakino beach race. Competitors raced horses and placed bets on the beach. Awakino has also been home to the Awakino rat hunt, which is pretty self-explanatory!
We have affordable, family-friendly accommodation. The kitchen, bottle store and bar are going all day, every day, because who knows when you'll reach your fish quota or run out of beers at your bach!? We regularly host live bands, quiz nights, Sky Sports, Fishing, and Hunting Club BBQs, Pool nights and more.
Awakino Pool Club
The Awakino Pool club meets every Friday at the Awakino Hotel. This very active club regularly hosts events and travel to play competitions against other clubs. New visitors and potential members are always welcome to join this winning pool club.
Tainui Pig Hunting Club
'Tainui' is the Maori name for the land around Mokau. This land is full of wild pigs, the main target for the members of the hunting club. With monthly BBQs over the winter and yearly competitions, the Awakino Hotel proudly caters and sponsors the club. Even the children get involved, weighing in possums, rabbits and sometimes, pigs! The countryside truly hides some beasts, with the biggest pig on record weighing a massive 357 pounds (161kg).
Mokau Fishing Club
The Mokau fishing club use the Awakino Hotel as their club rooms, hosting their monthly BBQs during the summer months, and competition prize givings. With such a bountiful ocean nearby, there's no wonder the local club has well over 100 members. Awakino Hotel is the place to come and weigh their fish, and with a pole and winch, we can weigh that big one, that didn't get away!