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SAN SEBASTIAN, a small seaside city in northern Spain’s Basque Country, is currently the world’s most exciting culinary destination, with more Michelin stars per capita (currently 16) than anywhere else. San Sebastian is also famous for its outstanding pintxos – pronounced “pinchos” – Basque-style tapas. These small, savory canapés are presented in a myriad of colors, forms and flavor combinations, laid out on giant platters and spread along every counter in town. Twice a day, hundreds of people pour into the streets for a traditional “pintxos crawl,” moving from bar to bar: tasting, drinking and socializing. In San Sebastian, pintxos are more than delicious snacks, they are ingrained in the city’s culinary history, they are a way of life. A Pintxo is a snack, typically eaten in bars, traditional in northern Spain and especially popular in the Basque Country . Pronounced “Pincho” the word literally meaning “thorn” or “spike” They are usually eaten in bars or taverns as a small snack while hanging out with friends, thus they have a strong socializing component, and in the Basque country they are usually regarded as a cornerstone of local culture and society. Generally they are accompanied by a glass of young white wine or a local beer. Pintxos are related to tapas, the main difference being that Pintxos are “spiked “ with a skewer or toothpick to a piece of fresh white bread. Usually it is a self service system for the food (paying on leaving) and cash for drinks. How it works Simply grab a plate and help yourself to any of the Pintxos available (the range continually changes so keep an eye out for the chef delivering new plates!) Find a table, order a beer or wine , either direct from the bar or from a waiter. As you eat your Pintxos, collect the “spikes” (toothpicks etc) in the glass holder. Feel free to go back and have as many Pintxos as your desire (and watch out for the plates of hot Pintxos being served by the waiters) When it is time to leave, simply take your “spikes” up to the bar and pay accordingly Should you be unable to enjoy our fresh bread , please help yourself to our gluten free crackers to replace the bread We hope you enjoy your experience at “PINTXOS” Ponsonby. Auckland’s first authentic Pintxos style tapas bar

Puhoi is the first of only two ethnic historic villages in New Zealand. It is a settlement located approximately 50 km north of Auckland. First settlers came from Bohemia, an area of what is now the Czech Republic. They arrived on June 29th 1863, by way of the Puhoi River in Maori canoes, under the leadership of Captain Martin Krippner. Thus, puhoi became a Bohemian Settlement. The settlers were each given lots of land which they first had to clear of the dense forestation before they could farm on it. You can learn more about this story in the Puhoi Museum, which was originally the Catholic primary school (1923 – 1964). The settlers, who were of Roman Catholic faith, built the church of Saints Peter and Paul in 1881. This church still stands and operates today. The hotel and pub as well as the general store, all have their origins from the first settlers and can all still be seen today.

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